Masada is a rugged natural fortress, of majestic beauty, in the
Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a symbol of the
ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last
stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73
A.D. It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of
the early Roman Empire, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea,
(reigned 37 – 4 B.C.). The camps, fortifications and attack ramp
that encircle the monument constitute the most complete Roman
siege works surviving to the present day. Outstanding Universal
Value Masada is a dramatically located site of great natural
beauty overlooking the Dead Sea, a rugged natural fortress on
which the Judaean king Herod the Great constructed a sumptuous
palace complex in classical Roman style. After Judaea became a
province of the Roman Empire, it was the refuge of the last
survivors of the Jewish revolt, who chose death rather than
slavery when the Roman besiegers broke through their defences.
As such it has an emblema