Adults NIS 23; children NIS 12. Groups: NIS 19 per adult; NIS 11 per child."} 6d:{"position":17,"content":"Herodion, the palace fortress that Herod built"} 6e:{"position":18,"content":"Herodion is one of the most fascinating structures of the ancient world in existence. It combined the functions of a palace and a fortress. Built by King Herod just outside Bethlehem, it is an artificial hill with massive walls around it, with Herod’s palace at the center. It had large public rooms, private rooms, bathrooms, etc."} 6f:{"position":19,"content":"Outside the walls were lush gardens and a swimming pool. Since the area around Herodion is arid, water was brought in via pipes and over an aqueduct."} 70:{"position":20,"content":"This structure, started in 22 BCE, took seven years to build. According to legend, Herod intended it as his burial ground."} 71:{"position":21,"content":"How to get there: From Jerusalem’s Gilo Junction, take Highway No. 356 past Har Homa and the settlements of Nokdim and Tekoa and from there to Herodion.
Recommended length of visit: Up to two hours.
Admission: Adults NIS 23; children NIS 12. Groups: NIS 19 per adult; NIS 11 per child."} 72:{"position":22,"content":"Beit She’an, the local Pompeii Well, not exactly Pompeii, since the city was not destroyed by a volcanic eruption but an earthquake. However, it is very well preserved."} 73:{"position":23,"content":"Like Megiddo, Beit She’an was a center of Egyptian rule in the area. Its importance was in its strategic location overlooking the Jordan Valley and the rich agricultural land around it."} 74:{"position":24,"content":"But the fame of Beit She’an is due to its Hellenistic heritage. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the area around Beit She’an was

A hop, skip and a jump into the past

A number of fascinating historical sites such as Tel Arad, Tel Afek and Herodion are closer than you might think.