Caesarea Maritima
The day was beautiful. We started the morning at the Ramada Hadera right on th Mediterranean. We arrived in Tel Aviv the night before, and drove about an hour to hour hotel. The time change, the jet lag, and my motion sickness had caused the evening before to be a little worrisome. The bus ride from the airport to the hotel was so much for me. I was a mix of emotions. I was scared that I was going to be sick the whole visit, I was happy we had arrived, I was frustrated with myself because I think I overdosed on nausea meds, and so much more. I almost broke down crying in my flood of emotions.
After we made our way to our rooms, Sarah suggested a walk on the beach. We grabbed the flashlights and headed down to the Mediterranean Sea. The waves crashing, the sent of the salt, and the music coming from a couple blocks away brought joy and seemed to smooth everything.
Caesarea Maritima was built by Herod the Great in 25 -13 BC. It is home to the oldest theatre in the country. Pontius Pilate resided in Herod’s palace there while he served as governor.
Very nice hippodrome and a 10 mile aqueduct, which originated at Mt. Carmel.
The restored theatre at Caesarea is pretty magnificent. The thing that struck me most though the moment we walked in was we were the only ones there. We had the theatre to ourselves. Covid destroyed travel in the Holy Land. March 1st was the first day of “Back to Business.” We had perfect timing.
Caesarea — not to be confused with Caesarea Philippi in Galilee – I could not just say “Caesarea,” I followed it up by adding Phillippi and quickly the guide Habib corrected me.
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Is Caesarea Amphitheater really an amphitheater? I was so impressed with the theatre and had so many questions. I didn’t know our guide, Habib well enough to bombard him with questions.
Roman Theaters In Israel
As you understood by now, there is no Amphitheater in Caesarea. The building in Caesarea has a semi-circular shape and has great acoustics. Thus it is a Roman theater.
I did find this great article to reference. https://www.israel-in-photos.com/caesarea-amphitheater.html
Massive breakwaters gave safe anchorage to 300 ships, a sewage system was flushed by the tide, and a vast hippodrome seated more than 20,000 people at chariot races. Later an amphitheatre was built to present chariot races, gladiatorial combats, animal performances and theatrical events.
Caesarea has been dubbed “Vegas on the Med.” Yep, I would have loved this place when it was bustling with visitors.
By Sherry Scheline
Photos by Cason Sisneros and Sherry Scheline (all the good ones were taken by Cason)
Ms. Sarah explaining things to Cason.
Cason is setting on the toilet. (Insert laughs and poop emojis) 💩 Really, this was the toilets. It’s the questions everyone wants to ask, but doesn’t. Where do they go to the bathroom? Here is your answer. Stone toilets just outside the Hippodrome.
As I stared at the Hippodrome, I thought about how many people might have died right there. It was so brutal. Sporting events were so vicious. I wonder in 1000 years what people will think about boxing, wrestling, and MMA.
This inscription found in the theatre at Caesarea includes the name of Pontius Pilate
Acts 8:40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
