Whilst non Jews might not be fully aware of the history surrounding the event for which Masada is most famous they will have come across the word “Zealot”. These were anti Roman rebels who, during their final stand at the fortress, committed suicide rather than fall into the hands of their captors.

The Masada Fortress is at the top of an imposing 440 metre high “battleship” of a crag which stands apart from other hills close to the Dead Sea. It is eminently defendable.

Today its grandeur is perhaps slightly diminished by the huge car park and the cable car which takes many visitors to and from the summit. There is a footpath however (not difficult) which would qualify you to wear one of the “I conquered Masada” T shirts if you were so minded!

The view from the top over the Dead Sea is very fine and there is enough left of the excavated “buildings” to give a reasonable picture of what existed at the top. The site is well worth taking in if you are in Israel.