Caesarea

After we drove for awhile, we stopped by a little row of roadside restaurants to grab a quick sandwich for lunch. 

The sign above the restaurant.

I had the most yummy tomato, pesto, and goat cheese sandwich.  The goat cheese was the most fabulous I've ever eaten!

So awesome to see Diet Coke in Hebrew!

My friend Petra ordered this yummy looking salad. :)

Outside the stores were some beautiful flowers!

After our quick bite, we hopped onto the bus and headed toward Caesarea.  As we got back on the road, I saw this...

My first glimpse of the Mediterranean!!!

It was a beautiful day -- look at the kites flying!

Another glimmer of the Mediterranean from the road.

We arrived at Caearea and I thought it was interesting that it was a National Park.  I would learn throughout my time here that many Biblical sites are now National Parks.  We have Yosemite.  Israel has Caesarea!  Amazing...

Now for some details about Caesarea:

1.  It was founded by Herod the Great.  This guy was a major architect.  He is behind several of the places we visited on our journey.

2.  This area had been under the rule of many others prior to Herod, but after the Romans took over in 6 AD, Caesarea became the capital of Palestine.

3.  It was a major port city and Paul actually left from Caesarea on his missionary journeys.

4.  Pontius Pilate resided here as an official.

5.  An earthquake affected the port, but the city flourished as a center of scholarship, producing several prominent rabbis and Church Fathers, Origen and Eusebius.

6.  Also, in Acts 10, Peter's visit to Cornelius and Cornelius' conversion occurs here.  It is incredible to reread this chapter and to imagine how this incredible story took place here.

(Most of the info I know about Caesarea and many other sites we visited is from Jerome Murphy-O'Connor's book: The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide)

Now I'll tell you a little about the pictures I took while I was there...

Outside the Roman theater, where remnants of discovered statues stand guard.

Here are the ruins of Caesarea with the Mediterranean just beyond.

Another view

Inside the Roman theater.

Another view

Dan is explaining to us about the Roman theater and how pantomime was a popular type of theatrical production.  He also told us how a chorus would stand behind the characters, doing the narration.

In the center is the box where the ruler sat for the productions.

An entrance.

More artifacts from the area.

A little side note:  If you see pictures of informational signs and they look a little bit bigger than the other pictures on the page, you may want to click them, so you can see the whole thing.  I've tried to make the signs a bit bigger, so you can read what they say, but I've noticed that in so doing information is lost without looking at the picture in a new window.

Kelli at the ampitheater

More ruins in the area

Possibly the place where Paul made is appeal to Caesar? I am very unsure of the spot, but it happened around here somewhere...  You can also see Herod's lighthouse in the background.  This lighthouse was a critical component to this area because of the craggy rocks surrounding the shoreline.  The light provided warning to the ships in the area.

Exploring the ruins -- such a beautiful day!

This is a replica of the inscription with information about Pilate being here.

Dan is telling us about the inscription.

An image of what the courtyard might have looked like.

I was really there!!

Column ruins

The Mediterranean -- so Beautiful!

Amy by the water

A Roman Well

After exploring this area for a bit, we watched a movie about Caesarea and Herod's architecture and the different people groups who ruled over the area at different times.

Then, it was time to explore another piece of Caesarea, the fortress.

The fortress wall from afar

Closer

Here is where the moat was surrounding the fortress.

Here is more description about Caesarea.

Inside the fortress wall

Stunning architecture

I believe the fortress was built during the time of the Crusades.  This sign gives more detail.

Beautiful architectural detail of flowers.  It is amazing to me all the delicate facets included in this mighty structure to have survived all these years.

The second entrance to the fortress.  Dan said there were two entrances to provide further protection from invaders.

This image is standing within the fortress looking at the second entrance.

More beautiful architecture

Modern buildings built on the sea

So beautiful

Information about the church ruins discovered here

Some of the church ruins

Other ruins within the fortress

Foundations of a city wall

This half-circle was above the first entrance to the fortress, I believe.

Then, we journeyed to the aqueducts!

Aren't these an architectural feat?!

They continue on for a good while.

Looking through to the sea

It was windy!! :)

A shelf inside the aqueduct

Looking back from the Mediterranean

The beautiful sea

After we hopped back on the bus, we were off to Tiberius.  On our way we passed Mt. Carmel.

Here is a closer image.

I was amazed how green the pastures were.

If you look closely, you might see a cow or two. :)

Sunset on the road to Tiberias.  What a glorious day it was!

Hope you all had a marvelous Monday!