Masada, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2001, is a popular visitor’s destination and a superb location for Filming in Israel. A majestic desert fortress overlooking the Dead Sea and the Judean desert, it is a symbol of the Jewish resistance in their fight against the Roman Empire. Sitting on an enormous, isolated rock approximately 470 meters above the level of the Dead Sea, the site can be regarded as a perfect spot to take refuge. The top plateau measures about 550 meters by 250 meters in size, with the 400 meters high east cliffs facing the Dead Sea. A 3.7 meters thick wall with a total length of 1.3 km surrounded this fortress, including fortified gates and several observation towers.

Herod the Great first fortified this plateau during 37 – 31 BCE as a refuge for himself in case of a revolt. After the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE, a group of Jewish rebels took refuge here hoping to escape the Romans. The Zealots, a Jewish political movement in the first century CE, managed to survive at Masada for a period of almost three years. They built water cisterns with an elaborate system of tunnels draining the surrounding wadis for water supply, storehouses for different commodities, as well as barracks for weapons and a synagogue facing Jerusalem.

The Roman governor of Judea, Lucius Flavius Silva, marched against Masada in late 72 CE and laid siege to the fortress. The Roman battalions failed at their attempts to breach the thick walls for several months, before they decided to build a circumvallation wall and a rampart against the plateau. When the Romans broke into the fortress with a battering ram in Spring 73 CE, they discovered that all inhabitants had committed mass suicide and storerooms and supplies had been destroyed.

The exact history of Masada and its inhabitants, as well as the length of the siege, remain a somewhat controversial issue. The most common theory is still the mass suicide theory assuming that the Zealots wanted to choose the time of their own deaths over a life of slavery and prostitution. A slightly altered version is passed down from Josephus, a Jewish Roman historian, who reported that the Jews drew the sword against each other as a means to avoid suicide. Some historians, however, oppose these versions, pointing out that Judaism condemns suicide as well as committing murder.

Due to its remoteness, the site remained largely untouched by humans or nature until in 1842 Masada was identified the first time. Thorough excavations followed in the 1960’s and since then many of the ancient buildings have been restored from their remains. The synagogue which was restored is considered to be the oldest synagogue in the world. Fragments of scrolls were found here, which were identified as parts of Deuteronomy and Ezekiel 37. Today they are displayed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Masada is one of the Jewish people’s greatest monuments, and it is an extraordinary location for Filming in Israel. Spectacular views across the Dead Sea and the Judean desert provide wonderful footage for your film. Biblical Productions will help you to make the most out of this location while Filming in Israel, including the organization of aerial photography. And if you need an expert for your film, Biblical Productions will make sure to connect you with leading professionals in different fields of expertise.