Caesarea

About

Caesarea was founded under Herod the Great around 10 BC, and would grow into the Roman provincial capital. The city was destroyed and rebuilt on multiple occasions through the Middle Ages before being abandoned in 1265. After this, Caesaria wasn’t resettled until 1884 when a small group of Bosnian immigrants built a fishing village on the site. Today, the real draw is the excavated and partly restored archaeological site, which is one of the most attractive in the country. Here, you can stroll a Byzantine street, admire a Crusader-era church, marvel at the 10,000-seat Herodian Amphitheatre, and see Israel’s oldest Roman theatre all backed by the sound of crashing waves. On the pier, you’ll find multimedia exhibits detailing ancient Caesarea’s history. Divers can also swim through the ancient city’s sunken remains - the world’s only underwater museum! Call the Caesarea Dive Club (04-6265898) in advance.