The Mediterranean Coast - Caesarea and Tel Aviv-Jaffa

Caesarea is a restored site that is located on the coast just south of Zikhron marked as 28 on the map. The map to the right, which is actually a high resolution arial photograph) shows all its features. It was a planned city with crisscrossing roads, a temple, theatre, amphitheatre, markets and residential quarters. It took 12 years to build during the reign of King Herod and was a major port and the headquarters of the empire by year 9, BCE.

Here we were standing on the coast just below #3 on the map looking across the water. The impressive figure (the one on the left) was one of the statues that adorned the theater. This is one of the arched passageways leading to the seating area.

This theater #1, was built by in Herod's time and was used for hundreds of years thereafter. It is still used with it's improved seats. Below, the picture shows how it must have looked in Herod's time. Here are examples of the newer benches at the top of the picture and are still in use and the ancient concrete steps at the bottom no longer used.

From the beach, the steps of the Herodian Amphitheatre #3. Note those arches in the distance seen closer to the right.

These arches are distinctly rounded and Roman. The whole site was built on land fill which collapsed from time to time.

Many of these rooms had interesting mosaics on the floor.

Another ancient map. This area really deserves more time than we spent.

Unfortunately, we missed Ruth in our selected meeting place at a McDonalds in Netanya and we went on to Tel-aviv. Here, on the beach, while Sheldon took our picture, Ruth was waiting

for us at the hotel marked with the arrow in the left picture. Note the progress the of the windsurfer. It gave me an excuse to include both pictures in this account.

Old Jaffa is located on the strip of land that juts out into the sea just south of Tel-Aviv. The view from there is spectacular.

Actually, Jaffa is often mentioned in Scripture. Solomon' temple was made with cedars from here. Jonah left Jaffa in his flight from God. Now, it is very old and beautiful city with a very active night life. Shops were closed because it was too early. On our way out. Note the hand -- an Israeli STOP sign.

Legend has it that the community was named after Noah's son, Japhet which would date the village shortly after the flood. Archaeological discoveries date it about 4000 years ago. I must admit, this is the first hanging potted tree I ever saw. We did see one later in the week at Zikhron.