Caesarea
Caesarea (Hebrew: Qeysarya, 拽讬住专讬讛) is a small, very well-to-do town and extensive archaeological site on the Mediterranean coast of Israel, located some 50 km north of Tel Aviv and several kms north of Hadera. Population 4,200.
Culture and History
Ancient Caesarea
Ancient Caesarea Maritima is one of the archaeological treasures of Israel and the Mediterranean. This giant city and port was created 2000 years ago by Herod the Great in honour of Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. Much of the Roman city remains, including an aqueduct, theatre, as well as acres of excavated houses, mosaics and palaces. In the 12th century CE, Caesarea was recreated as a massive Crusader fortress, whose moat, balustrades and towers still stand. The ancient and medieval city are preserved within the Caesarea National Park, the Roman aqueduct can be seen for free on the beach few kilometers far from the National Park.
Modern Caesarea
In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Baron Edmond James de Rothschild purchased much of the land around Caesarea - with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Rothschild family gifted these holdings to the Caesarea Foundation. The Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Development Corporation [1] (called in Hebrew 讛讞讘专讛 诇驻讬转讜讞 拽讬住专讬讛 讗讚诪讜谞讚 讘谞讬诪讬谉 讚讛 专讜讟砖讬诇讚) remains the operational arm of the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation.
Caesarea is therefore only locality in Israel which is managed by a private organization (the Caesarea Development Corporation) rather than a municipal governmental organization. Caesarea is considered one of the most upscale residential developments in Israel. The current Baron de Rothschild still maintains a home in Caesarea, as do many other wealthy and influential individuals and foreign residents.
Beyond the ancient remains, Caesarea is a town devoted to tourists and to luxurious living. Some of Israel鈥檚 finest homes are located here and it is also home of Israel鈥檚 only 18-hole golf course (designed by the renowned Robert Trent-Jones), a luxury hotel, a vacation village, miles of sandy beaches, and a series of attractive restaurants, galleries and boutiques huddled around the Mediterranean cove. And, of course, visitors marvel at its extraordinary archeological attractions, not least of which is the Roman theatre, where concerts, entertainment extravaganzas and the annual International Opera Festival are held.
Travel to Caesarea, visa requirements
Caesarea National Park is on the coastal road, near the city of Caesarea and Kibbutz Sdot Yam and west of Or Akiva. Take the coastal road or the old Tel Aviv-Haifa highway to the interchange near the Orot Rabin power station; an alternate route is to drive to the park via Or Akiva.
Get around
Caesarea attractions and sightseeing
- Caesarea National Park [2]
City tours
- the International Opera Festival Caesarea [3]
- Caesarea Jazz Festival [4] - next held June 8-10, 2006
- Caesarea Golf Club [5]
Shopping, Caesarea souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Caesarea nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Bed and Breakfast
- Grushka B&B and Villa [6] - located in nearby Binyamina (5 km)
Splurge
- Dan Caesarea Hotel [7], Tel: 972-3-5202552, Fax: 972-3-5480111, mailto:Reservations-T.Caesarea@DanHotels.co.il -
Get out
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