Location: Map
Open: 8am- 4pm daily
Info: (04) 617 4444/6550
Caesarea Museum
Kibbutz Sdot Yam
Tel. (04) 636 4367
Open: daily
Underwater Archeological Park
Caesarea Harbour
Tel. (04) 626 5898
Open: 6am- dark daily
Caesarea, located on Israel's Mediterranean coast in the Haifa District, is a unique blend of ancient history and modern affluence. It encompasses the ruins of the ancient port city of Caesarea Maritima (also known as Caesarea Palaestinae), a major archaeological site, and the adjacent modern town of Caesarea (officially Qeysarya), an upscale suburban community established in the mid-20th century. Situated approximately 45 kilometers north of Tel Aviv and 45 kilometers south of Haifa, the area spans about 35 square kilometers and is bordered by the Caesarea Industrial Zone to the east and the town of Jisr az-Zarqa to the north. The ancient site, now part of Caesarea National Park, draws visitors for its Roman-era grandeur, while the modern town is known for its high-end residential living, business parks, and cultural venues. This juxtaposition makes Caesarea a symbol of Israel's layered history, from Herodian engineering feats to contemporary luxury developments.
The history of Caesarea Maritima dates back to the 4th century BCE,
when it was founded as a Phoenician colony and trading village called
Straton's Tower by Abdashtart I, king of Sidon. In 90 BCE, it was
captured by the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus, becoming a Jewish
settlement until 63 BCE, when the Romans under Pompey declared it an
autonomous city. The city's transformation into a grand metropolis
occurred under Herod the Great, who rebuilt and expanded it between 22
and 10/9 BCE, renaming it Caesarea in honor of Emperor Augustus. Herod's
ambitious project turned it into the administrative, economic, and
cultural capital of Roman Judaea, featuring innovative infrastructure
that showcased Roman engineering adapted to local conditions.
During
the Roman period (from 6 CE onward), Caesarea served as the seat of
Roman procurators, including Pontius Pilate, and was the capital of
provinces like Judaea, Syria Palaestina, and Palaestina Prima for nearly
650 years. It was a hub for intellectual activity and played a pivotal
role in early Christianity: the Apostle Peter baptized Cornelius the
Centurion here, Paul the Apostle was imprisoned for two years before
being sent to Rome, and Origen composed significant theological works,
including the Hexapla, in the 3rd century. The city was the site of key
events in the Jewish-Roman wars, such as the 66 CE revolt sparked by
Greek sacrifices near a synagogue, and post-70 CE games where Jewish
captives were executed to celebrate Titus's victory over Jerusalem.
In the Byzantine era (from 390 CE), Caesarea became the capital of
Palaestina Prima and an early Christian center, with grand churches and
a thriving population. The Muslim conquest in 640 CE marked its decline
as a capital, though it was refortified in the 11th century under Arab
rule and known as Qisarya. The Crusaders captured it in 1101, turning it
into a fortified port under the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but it was
destroyed by the Mamluks in 1265 to prevent future Crusader use. By the
early modern period, it had dwindled to a small fishing village. During
the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the local population fled or was expelled,
and the village structures were demolished. Archaeological interest
revived in the 1950s and 1960s, leading to extensive excavations that
uncovered layers from Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Crusader periods.
Today, the site is preserved within Caesarea National Park, with ongoing
discoveries, such as a 1,700-year-old Roman marble sarcophagus found in
2025 depicting a contest between Dionysus and Hercules.
Caesarea Maritima's archaeological site is one of Israel's most
impressive, showcasing Herod's visionary urban planning and subsequent
historical overlays. Major structures include:
Harbor (Sebastos
Harbor): Constructed by Herod between 22 and 15 BCE, this was one of the
ancient world's largest artificial harbors, enclosing 100,000 square
meters with innovative breakwaters made of lime, pozzolana, and local
kurkar stone. It utilized advanced underwater concrete techniques,
including double planking and floating barges, but succumbed to seismic
activity and subsidence, with much now submerged over 5 meters deep by
the 6th century.
Roman Theater: Overlooking the Mediterranean, this
venue hosted gladiatorial games, sports, and theatrical performances. It
remains one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the region and now
serves as a concert space for modern events.
Hippodrome/Amphitheater:
Originally built by Herod for chariot races, it was later rebuilt in the
2nd century CE as a more conventional amphitheater. Located southeast of
the Ottoman-era Bosnian village ruins, it could seat thousands for
public spectacles.
Aqueducts: A double aqueduct system transported
fresh water from springs at Mount Carmel's base, addressing the site's
lack of natural water sources. These engineering marvels, visible along
the coast, highlight Roman hydraulic expertise.
Palaces and Temples:
Herod's palace protruded into the sea on a promontory, featuring a
decorative pool and stoas. A prominent temple dedicated to Roma and
Augustus stood on a raised podium, later repurposed for a Byzantine
church.
Other notable remains include city walls, a Crusader-era
citadel and moat, a praetorium (governor's residence used as a hall of
justice), Byzantine churches, and mosaics from various eras. Excavations
have yielded artifacts like a limestone inscription mentioning Pontius
Pilate (the first physical evidence of his existence), Fatimid gold
coins, and a 3rd-4th century Hebrew stone listing priestly courses,
indicating post-revolt Jewish resettlement.
The site's significance
lies in its role as a crossroads of cultures—Phoenician, Jewish, Roman,
Christian, Muslim, and Crusader—making it a key location for
understanding Mediterranean history, biblical events, and ancient urban
development.
Established in 1952 on land leased from the Rothschild family to the
State of Israel, modern Caesarea is an affluent suburban enclave with a
population of about 5,765 as of 2023, spread across a low-density area
of 160 people per square kilometer. It is managed not by a traditional
municipality but by the Caesarea Development Corporation (CDC), a
private entity under the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation, which is
jointly owned by the Rothschild family and the Israeli government. This
unique governance structure grants the foundation tax-exempt status,
with profits from real estate funneled into national education, arts,
culture, and welfare initiatives. Ariane de Rothschild currently chairs
both the foundation and CDC.
Demographically, Caesarea attracts
wealthy residents, including business tycoons from Israel and abroad,
with the Rothschild family maintaining a home there. Many commute to Tel
Aviv or Haifa for work. The economy revolves around the Caesarea
Business Park, which houses around 170 companies in high-tech,
distribution, and services, employing about 5,500 people. Residential
areas feature upscale homes, a shopping concourse with essential
amenities, and scattered cafes and restaurants, some integrated into the
ancient port area.
Education details are sparse, but the foundation
supports broader Israeli higher education. Sports are highlighted by the
Caesarea Golf and Country Club, Israel's only full-sized golf course,
opened in 1961 and redesigned in 2007-2009. It hosts Maccabiah Games
events and draws international players. Culturally, the town integrates
history through venues like the Ralli Museum, which displays South
American art and Salvador Dalí originals.
Modern developments include
ongoing real estate projects like the "Golf Cluster" and business park
expansions. The town's relationship to the ancient site is intimate: it
borders Caesarea National Park, incorporating ruins into daily life,
such as using the Roman theater for concerts featuring artists like Deep
Purple, Björk, and local stars. This integration preserves heritage
while fostering a luxurious, history-infused lifestyle.
As of 2025, Caesarea remains a top tourist destination, blending
historical exploration with leisure activities. Key attractions include
Caesarea National Park, where visitors can tour the harbor ruins,
theater, hippodrome, aqueducts, and Herod's palace remnants, often via
guided tours highlighting Roman bathhouses and Crusader walls. The park
also features an underwater museum for diving and snorkeling amid
submerged harbor structures.
Newer developments include the Yam
Caesarea National Park expansion, focusing on marine archaeology and
coastal ecosystems, as part of Israel's emerging tourist sites. Other
highlights are the Caesarea Ralli Museum for art enthusiasts, Aqueduct
Beach for relaxation, and the Caesarea Amphitheater for events. Day
tours often combine Caesarea with nearby Haifa and Akko, offering
insights into Roman, Crusader, and modern Israeli history. The Caesarea
Jazz Festival and golf tournaments add cultural vibrancy, making it
ideal for history buffs, families, and luxury seekers alike.