Yafo and Ceasarea

We started off the day with a short drive to southern Tel Aviv (TelYafo) to an area known as Jaffa. This area was an early port and was controlled by the Egyptians and the Phillistines. Jaffa is mentioned several times in the bible.  It is the site that Jonah tried to postpone going to Nineveh but setting sail to Tarshish.  Peter also healed a woman in the area.  St. Peter's church and monastary was built here to commemorate the event.

We also visited the first tel excavation in Israel before heading to Ceasarea.  Ceasarea was constructed under Herod to honor Ceasar.  Below area a few pictures of the theater. The theater is still used today which is why there are lights and chairs in these photos.  The body of water in the background is the Mediterranean Sea.

The city would have been very impressive in its time.  The backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea was certainly unique.  Herod also had a fresh water pool built.  That was a tremendous luxury in a land that does not have an abundance of water.  The water reached the city through aquaducts.

Based on the organization of the city, the building in which Paul asked to be tried by Ceasar may have been located.

The city fell into the hands of a number of different groups throughout time.  Crusaders from France were one of these groups.  Below is the gate the their fortress.

The day ended on the coast of the Mediterranean.