Herodion National Park

A palace-fortress built between 23-15 BC by King Herod atop a partly artificial hill in the Judaean Desert, 12 km south of Jerusalem. Constructed to commemorate Herod's victory over Antigonus II in 40 BC, it features a double fortification wall, four towers (the largest 18m in diameter), mosaic floors, and elaborate frescoes. Lower Herodium includes palace ruins, a large pool with its own aqueduct, and a bathhouse. In 2007, archaeologist Ehud Netzer discovered Herod's long-sought tomb on the northern slope. During the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 AD), rebels converted Herod's triclinium into a synagogue before the fortress fell to the Roman Tenth Legion around 71 AD.