Region: Gush Dan / Coastal Areas

Location: Caesarea is located on the Mediterranean coast, about midway between Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Driving Directions to Caeserea: Highway 2 (the Coastal Highway)
Travel on the Coastal Highway until you reach the Caesarea Intersection. After the Caesarea intersection, turn west towards the direction of Caesarea. Highway 4 (old Tel Aviv - Haifa Highway) Travel on the old highway until you reach Nahal Hadera. Turn west at the intersection towards the Caesarea junction.

Cities/Town Close By: Haifa, Binyamina, Hadera, Netanya, Or Akiva, Sdot-Yam, Zichron Yaakov

Population: approx. 4,700

Landscape: Coastline and sandy hills

Ancient History: Founded as a small Phoenician port city, eventually conquered by Alexander Jannaeus to be made part of the Hasmonean kingdom. Archeological excavations during the 1950s and 1960s uncovered remains from many periods, in particular, a complex of fortifications of the Crusader city and the Roman theater.

After the Battle of Actium, the city was given to Herod by Augustus Caesar. Herod the Great, in 21 BCE, built a massive, two-part harbor, at Caesarea. The all-weather harbor was constructed using concrete to create breakwaters in the sea. Herod named the harbor in honor of Emperor Augustus. The Roman historian Flavius Josephus describes the harbor; "the king triumphed over nature and constructed a harbour larger than the Piraeus, ... while its beauty was such as if no obstacle had existed."

An aqueduct, originally built by Herod in the first century BCE, was expanded by the Romans in the second century CE. It conveyed water to the Caesarea from the springs of Mt. Carmel that was over 10 kilometers away.

Following Herod's death, Caesarea became the place of residence for Jewish Roman commissioners and the provincial capital of Judea.

During the Bar-Cochva rebellion, the Roman army's main supply base was Caesarea. Several of the Ten Martyrs were executed was by the Romans, including Rabbi Akiva.

Caesarea, was conquered by the Moslems in the seventh century. Rule alternated between the Crusaders and Saladin between the 10th and 12th centuries,. Caesarea was captured by the Mamluks in the 13th century and was destroyed.

Near by Parks/Forests: Caesarea Maritima, Ramat Handiv, Caesarea National park, Mount Carmel National Park, Nahal Me'arot Nature Reserve

Modern Day: Caesarea is home to a mixed community that enjoys an array of cultural, recreational and sports activities. read more

Ancient Sites/Tels: Caesarea National park, Caesarea Maritima

Museums: The Ralli Museum, Hana Senesh House, Antiquity Museum in Kibbutz Sdot-Yam, Ein Shemer Museum, Travel Through Time Exhibition

Theaters/Perfomance Centers: Ancient amphitheatre

Festivals: Caesarea Jazz Festival, Caesarea International Opera Festival

Things To Do: Caesarea National Park, Caesarea Country Club, Caesarea Golf Club, Sdot Yam- Water-Sports, Acquaduct Beach at Caesarea, Hiking, Horse Riding, Museums, Sea Center, Time Tower, Trails

Dining: click here

Lodging: click here

City Website: click here

City Map: click here