Ancient Town Caesarea Maritima (קֵיסָרְיָה; قيسارية‎, Καισάρεια)

Caesarea Maritima was built in the decades before the turn of the millennium by Herod the Great on the foundations of an older Phoenician settlement called Turris Stratonis. The city, named in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus, quickly developed into a luxurious port and one of the most important in the Eastern Mediterranean. From 6 AD, it served as the residence of the Roman procurators. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Caesarea rose to become the capital of the province of Palestine and experienced a golden age until the late 6th century, during which it had up to 125,000 inhabitants. In the 2nd century, it became a Christian episcopal see. After its conquest by the Persians around 619 and later by the Arabs after 640, the city rapidly declined in importance. It experienced a brief resurgence under the Crusaders, who conquered the city in 1101, fortified it, and made it the center of a lordship and an archbishopric. Despite strong fortifications, Caesarea fell to Sultan Baibars in 1275 and subsequently fell into ruin.

The ancient city of Caesarea Maritima is located in the modern city of Caesarea in the Haifa District, Israel, at an elevation of approximately 7 m above sea level.

Today, visitors can explore the extensive ruins of the ancient city, which represent an impressive testament to its rich history.

• Crusader Castle Merle (Tantura, الطنطوره) (Ancient Buildings), approx. 13.3 km away
• Ancient City Dor (דאר) (Ancient Buildings), approx. 13.3 km away
• Crusader Castle Cafarlet (كفر لام‎) (Fortress), approx. 15.9 km away
• Crusader Castle Caco (‏قاقون‎) (Fortress), approx. 18.3 km away