All I remember from our visit to Caesarea forty years ago is the amphitheatre but now there’s a whole National Park with a number of the major buildings from the Roman and Byzantine periods and before being excavated.
It’s all by the sea so makes for a very pleasant day out with some restaurants right on the coast and souvenir shops with things worth buying. There is a film about the history of the city (10 mins long, maybe) and a holographic display providing interviews with various people associated with Caesarea through the years, explaining the history in a personalised way.
We wandered down to the displays first and then decided it was time for lunch. Our first choice was full so we went to another – the Beach Bar – and were told we could order drinks but it would be 15mins. or so before food could be ordered…..and then another 10….and then another hour!! That was too much. We grudgingly paid for our crushed lemon and spearmint and went back to our original choice – only to find it was nicer and cheaper and the food and view were both extremely good.
At that point – despite the intense sun – I walked over to the hippodrome and the theatre. The theatre is used for public shows now and the tech guys were setting up for a performance. How good to see that places like this are restored and useable again!
Although the amphitheatre is the only part I honestly remember being evident in 1978, the site is now quite large with the greatest part being taken up by the hippodrome where the horse races took place
I loved the very stylised chariot that marked the entrance and was amused to see visitors retreating to the protection of the ‘stands’ – maybe where the royal box was – to hide from the very intense heat. I had thought being by the sea would help but on this occasion it didn’t really.
The excavations nearest to the sea are thought to be the room where the Roman representative heard the pleas of those seeking justice from the Emperor – as St. Paul did. And it is thought possible that this is the very place from where he was sent to Rome where he was later martyred for his faith.
There were a fair few visitors – though I tried to avoid them! – not all obeying signs about being on the beach in certain areas.
And then it was time to find my way back to the ice-cream shop in the courtyard where Holly would be waiting.. and it was time to leave. Fascinating place!
Living the Journey 