Herodion National Park

"Herodium, is the burial place of Herod the great and the only site which bore his name". Professor Ehud Netzer , (Herodium, An Archeological Guide)

Herodion is without question one of the most fascinating structures from the ancient world. This Mountain Palace- Fortress , located on the eastern side of Gush Etzion, passes close to Bethlehem, the Shepherds Fields, bordering on the Judean Hills and Desert, next to the community of Tekoa, the birthplace of the prophet Amos. It can be seen from many parts of Judea as well as from several points within Jerusalem. The most striking feature is the volcano-shaped artificial mound, which masks the ruins of a unique round structure.

The double wall surrounding Herodion is 63 meters in diameter and as high as a seven-story building. Earth was piled up around the walls to create an artificial hill. The structure contained Herod's private castle, with open rooms, courtyards, and luxurious bathhouses. At the foot of the hill, lush gardens were planted around a large swimming pool - all in a desert frontier, with sparse rainfall and not even one source of water! Spring water from a nearby village was brought to Herodion through an aqueduct. According to the historian Josephus Flavius, Herod wanted to be buried in Herodion, the place which bore his name. During the period of the Great Revolt, the Zealots captured Herodion and used it as their base, but eventually surrendered without bloodshed. The Zealots built a synagogue on existing structures; remnants can still be seen today. At the time of the Bar Kochva Revolt, the Jewish fighters dug a complex network of tunnels into the mountain and hid out there. The tunnels were dug in secret and were used as the base for guerilla warfare against the Roman enemy.

After hundreds of years of searching for King Herod's tomb on the Herodion by historians it was finally discovered by Professor Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Professor who had devoted the past 35 years of his professional life to searching for the tomb finally succeeded.

For years archaeologists assumed that Herod was buried on Herodion since it was his great estate. In the beginning the excavations took place on the lower levelof the structure and in 2006 it was suggested to attempt the search at a higher level of the mountain known as "The Funeral Path". The tomb was finally found but in a shattered and broken condition.

King Herod was known as the strongest king in Judea, who served Rome. The secular world has nicknamed him" Herod the Great". He was most popular for the great structures he built and was also called the "Builder King". Our Sages said "Those who have not seen a building such as the Herodion structures has not seen a magnificent building in his life".

Besides developing the city of Caesarea, he built, Masada, amphitheaters, built great palaces and much more. The main and most beautiful of his buildings was the Temple in Jerusalem.

Fast Facts

• Tourism has grown 20% as a result of the discovery of the tomb and numbers continue to climb

• 60,000 visitors in 2008

• Quick access to the site since the opening on the Jerusalem- Herodion highway. Travel time is 10 minutes from Jerusalem. Goal

• The discovery of the tomb will promote tourism to Herodion and the surrounding region Plan

• To expand the number of tourists that visit the area annually by:

  1) Marketing and Advertising

  2) Developing the site

  3) Preserving the excavations

Budget Proposal

* Public Relations Office	$25,000
* Advertising, radio, internet, brochures, and newspapers	$200,000
** Marketing and sales	$25,000
Total	$250,000

* First Stage one time investment

** Annual

Budget Proposal for Preservation and Development of Excavations

Stage 1

For the immediate development of the Tomb site:
* Archeology - continuing excavations	$250,000
* Preservation of the Herodion excavation.	$500,000
Synagogue, first priority
* Upgrading road, parking and stores	$150,000
* Infrastructure and entrance road	$250,000
* Fencing the site and restoration of lower level	$250,000
* Architectural and building plans	$50,000
Total	$1,700,000

The project is a joint venture between The Regional Council of Gush Etzion, Ministry of Tourism, and National Parks Association. In the future the Finance Ministry and other government offices will be involved.

The Ministry of Tourism has committed itself to matching funds.

To date there is no government funding to preserve the sight nor will there be in the near future as a result of the military and security funding critically needed by the State of Israel at this time. Most of the finances will be from outside sources.

All excavations are under the supervision of and in coordination with Professor Ehud Netzer, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.