Sunday, April 26, 2009
Caesarea National Park
A trip to the Holy Lands isn’t complete without a visit to Caesarea National Park. One of the most intriguing archaeological sites in the Middle East, Caesarea National Park is located alongside the Mediterranean Sea. It lies in northern Israel about halfway between Haifa and Tel Aviv.
Historical Background
Caesarea was named in honor of the Roman patron, Emperor Augustus Caesar. Because of its coastline location, it was a strategic spot for Herod the Great to rebuild a town over the former settlement known as “Straton’s Tower.” By the 2nd and 3rd century, Caesarea (which was the headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine), was one of the most prominent cities of the Roman Empire’s eastern area.
It continued to flourish during the Roman and Byzantine periods, but lost its political and economic standing in the seventh century AD when the Arabs took over the area.
During the Crusader period, (1095-1291 AD) Caesarea was secured by a colossal wall and moat.
A planned city, Caesarea had a network of crisscrossing roads, as well as a temple, theater, amphitheatre, bathhouses, markets, and residential areas.
Biblical Significance
Caesarea rates high in many of the events found in the New Testament book of Acts (the Acts of the Apostles.) The city is mentioned in passages including Acts 8:40, Acts 23:23-33, and Acts 24:27-26:3.
However, the most noted event was when Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who became the first Gentile to convert to Christianity.
“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46, NLT).
