JERUSALEM ... The historical Capital City of the Jewish People!

FIRST TEMPLE (Ir David)

… Capture the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem with King David and his general, Yoab!

… View the monumental fortification and water systems of King Hezekiah!

… Finish with the incredibly striking reminders of the destruction of Jerusalem by

    Nebuchadnezer ~ King of Babylonia!

 

DOWNTOWN  (Walking Tour)

… Follow in the footsteps of the Brave Pioneers that left the safety of the city

  walls to establish New Neighborhoods into what has emerged as the beautiful                

 metropolis that Jerusalem is today!

 

JERUSALEM  OF KING HEROD (End of the Second Temple)

… Wander through the prestigious Priestly Neighborhoods that existed under

    the modern Jewish Quarter until their untimely destruction by the Roman

    Legions led by Titus!






CAESAREA ... An engineering marvel of history!

Located on the Mediterranean coast about halfway between Haifa and Tel Aviv; Caesarea is one of the oldest cities in Israel, over 2,000 years old! It was originally named 'Straton's Tower' after its founder Straton (ruler of Sidon in 4th century BCE). The city was later captured and became a part of the Hasmonean kingdom in 96 BCE; ended up in the possession of Cleopatra who returned this sea-faring marvel to Augustus, who then gave it to Herod to rule over.

Herod built Caesarea into an amazing seaside city over the course of 12 years! It was known for its beauty, a deep sea harbor, aqueduct system, hippodrome and magnificent amphitheater that remains today!

IsraelByMeir Tours will take you through the awe inspiring structures that have survived many centuries ~ Compare the teachings of the great Sages of Jerusalem and the amazing city of Caesarea as you walk in the footsteps of history!


21 BCE
Herod the Great build a massive 2-part harbor using hydraulic
concrete which created breakwaters in the sea. Only ONE,
of many engineering marvels!
6 CE
The home of Roman Governors (Procurators) of Judea
66-70 CE
The Great Revolt when Jews began fighting the Syrians over their
pagan ceremony conducted on Shabbat near the entrances of the
synagogues!
135 CE
The Bar Kochba Revolt, after which the Romans tortured and executed
Rabbi Akiva who is one of the greatest Rabbi's of Jewish history!
325 CE
Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire, made Caesarea a
Christian community.
640 CE
Caesarea was the last city to fall to the Muslim invaders in this area
of the Palestinian region of Israel.
1101
The city was captured by the Crusaders.
1187
Lost to Saladin, the Muslim conqueror.
1251-1252
The city was entirely rebuilt by Louis IX of France.
1265
Caesarea fell to Baybars, a sultan of Egypt who destroyed the city which
remained in ruins until 1884. A small community of Bosnians worked to build
a fishing village, but fled during the War of Independence in 1948.



THE GALILEE ... Large region in Northern Israel making up 1/3 of the country.

Explore the Mishnaic and Talmudic excavated city of TZIPORI ...

Find out where the Sanhedrin sat in BET SHEARIM ...

TZIPORI ...


Located on a hill in the Lower Galilee, midway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee; and surrounded by the green, lush valley of Beit Netufa.

From the 2nd Century BCE to the 7th Century CE, Tzipori was a thriving Jewish economic, political and intellectual hub where King Herod and his son, Herod Antipas lived.

66-218 CE
Tzipori minted its own coins and enjoyed extensive trade with
countries as far as Italy!
55 CE
Became the Administrative Capital of Galilee.
66-70 CE
During the Great Revolt, the city was handed over
to General Vaspatian of Rome.
132-135 CE
Many Jews settled here from Jerusalem and Judea after the
destruction of the Second Temple and the Bar Kochta Revolt.
200 CE
The Book of Jewish Religious Law ~ The Mishnah. Written by
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (Judah the Prince, head of the Sanhedrin)
is his most famous work.
351 CE
The entire city rebelled against Emperor Constantine as he
used Joseph the Convert in an attempt to replace Judaism
with Christianity. It failed.

Many more surprises await You as Tzipori is full of history and still survives after Roman, Muslim and Crusader attempts to conquer and control the Jews!

Psst ... Who were the New Israeli Guardsmen? What was their relationship to the Haganah, which became the Israeli Defense Force??? Find out on Your IsraelByMeir Tour of The Galilee!


BET SHEARIM ...

Located in the southern Galilee, near the edge of the Jezreel Valley and eventually became an important center for Jewish learning and burial in the first centuries of the Common Era.