We visited Caesarea by the Sea. Caesarea was built by Herod the Great and was the seat of the Roman government for over 500 years. It was the largest port of the New Testament time, rivaling Rome and Athens. Herod named the city in honor of Augustus Caesar. Caesarea is where the Gentile Church was born (Acts 10). This is the theatre where Paul probably stood before Felix and addressed him publicly (Acts 23-27). It's also believed this is where Herod Agrippa I accepted the people's worship as a "god"and was struck dead by the one true God (Acts 12).
Much of Herod's palace is now under water, although you can walk on the remains of some of it.
This is half of the ampitheatre where Herod held what became the Olympic games.
This is what's been recovered of the actual port at Caesarea, the high place held a pagan altar that arriving passengers would recognize as they entered the city. Below the "gods" was a prison. It's likely the Apostle Paul was held here while awaiting transport to Rome. He may have written some of the Epistles from this prison.
We then visited Mount Carmel where Elijah had his contest with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). The view in this photo is the Jezreel Valley below the mountain, which is also known as the Valley of Armageddon.
