NIS 100 Million in Exposing Caesarea’s Hidden Treasures
The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, Caesarea Development Corporation, Israel Antiquities Authority and Israel Nature and Parks Authority have announced cooperation on an unprecedented scale in exposing, conserving and making accessible the important public buildings of ancient Caesarea in Caesarea National Park, and developing and making the settlement’s beaches accessible.
Aerial view of the work in the harbor.
Photo: Griffin Aerial Photography.
This involves an overall investment of more than NIS 100 million that were allocated for the project by the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation and the Caesarea Development Corporation.
The unprecedented renewal project will upgrade Israel’s tourism resources and enhance the glorious past and future of Caesarea, as well as the entire area.
Among the archaeological discoveries that have been exposed and can be visited by the public – the altar of a temple built by King Herod c. 2,000 years ago in honor of Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma, mentioned in the writings of Josephus Flavius, and the synagogue of Caesarea.
One of the unique features of the project is the support of the general public – pupils from Or Akiva, cadets, students and ordinary citizens who come to volunteer and take part in the archaeological excavations at the various sites throughout Caesarea – turning Caesarea’s fascinating past into a glorious future for the entire region.
Caesarea has been a vibrant port city since its establishment about 2,030 years ago and throughout the various ensuing periods. Its importance and architectural wealth made it one of the premier cities in the Roman and Byzantine Empires. The archaeological excavations that are being conducted at the site in recent years on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, which are a continuation of the excavations from the 1990’s, have revealed many remains that range in date from the time of Herod until the Crusader period.
Together with the large-scale archeological excavations, extensive conservation and restoration measures and development of the harbor are taking place in Caesarea National Park. In fact, this is one of the largest and most important conservation projects ever undertaken in Israel. There is no other site in Israel where in recent years so many funds, resources and means of conservation and development have been allocated. This is a complex operation, which poses many challenges in planning and execution, while maintaining the values of the place
Amazing project.
Maybe tiny Israel is so hated because it is the Jews manning the entry turnstiles in 2017 and carrying out this massive undertaking – and not the mighty Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire.
Heads should be hung in shame by those continuing to try and obliterate the history of the Jews in their ancient biblical and historic homeland and miraculous return with the proclamation of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate for Palestine.