Caesarea
Israel · Haifa District · 5 m
Description
Caesarea Maritima (קיסריה) was built by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 before Christ as a deep water harbour on a coast that had none, using hydraulic concrete poured underwater, which was new engineering at the time. It became the Roman capital of Judaea and the seat of Pontius Pilate, whose name turned up here on an inscription in 1961, the only physical evidence of him anywhere. The theatre still holds concerts, the hippodrome runs along the sea, and the Crusader walls sit on top of the Roman city. Much of the harbour is now underwater and divable.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – June or September – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Caesarea National Park and the Herodian harbour
- Roman theatre above the sea
- Crusader city walls and its moat
- Herodian hippodrome along the shore
- Underwater archaeological dive park
- Roman aqueduct beach
- Pontius Pilate inscription replica
- Summer concerts in the ancient theatre (June - September)
- Harbour restaurants in the Crusader vaults
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Caesarea-Pardes Hanna