STOP 1 | CAESARE MARITIMA – Romans & Apostles
- Regina Liu
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 16
HIGHLIGHTS:
The site known in the Chinese Union Version of the Bible as ‘该撒利亚’ (Caesarea) holds profound significance in Christian history. As recounted in Acts Chapter 10, it was in Caesarea that the Apostle Peter baptised the Roman centurion Cornelius and his household—an event widely considered the pivotal moment the Gospel was extended to the Gentiles.
Furthermore, the Apostle Paul was imprisoned here [Acts 25:4] before his final journey to Rome. Paul’s transformation, from a Pharisee who persecuted Christians to the foremost apostle to the Gentiles, guided by the Holy Spirit, is a cornerstone of the New Testament. The epistles he wrote continue to teach and inspire through God's word.
The Pilate Stone, discovered in the ruins of the Tiberieum, is of immense archaeological importance. It remains the only known non-Biblical archaeological evidence that explicitly names Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus.
The extensive ruins are listed on UNESCO’s Tentative List. Notable features include well-preserved Crusader fortifications, a Roman Theatre (one of the oldest still in use), and the remains of the Sebastos Harbor—the largest artificial harbour in the world in the 1st century AD, now largely submerged.
SITE VISITS:
Due to time constraints, this visit was confined to the ruins within the Caesarea National Park, rather than the modern town. The map below provides a clear overview of the site's layout.
Had time allowed, a visit to the Kibbutz (a collective community) south of the park and the modern town would have been worthwhile.
We toured the site efficiently by car and on foot, visiting these key points in sequence:
1) Roman Aqueduct
King Herod the Great, a devoted admirer of Roman engineering, commissioned this magnificent aqueduct to bring fresh water from the springs of Mount Carmel to the city, over 10 km away. It was later expanded to channel water from the Tanninim River, ingeniously merging the new structure with the old. The seamless join is so skillful that the subtle line within the archway (see below photo) is easily missed without a guide to point it out.
2) Roman Theatre
Expertly restored, this theatre is once again used for performances today, making it one of the oldest functioning theatres in the world. There's an evening show on the day we visited the site, and there were chairs arrayed and stage were being erected.
3) Tiberieum
This small structure adjacent to the theatre is the discovery site of the Pilate Stone. The stone displayed in situ is a replica; the original artefact (which we would see on Day 8) is housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
4) Caesarea Columns
An array of columns and carved fragments, displayed with explanations of their original materials and provenance, have been re-erected here. The sight evokes a powerful sense of the passage of time and the transience of earthly glory, bringing to mind the words of Ecclesiastes: “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’” [Ecclesiastes 1:2]
5) Mosaic Hall
This site contains the remains of a finely crafted mosaic floor, offering a glimpse of the building’s original opulence, though little else of the structure survives.
6) Herod’s Promontory Palace
The ruins of Herod’s palace, built on a peninsula, include the striking feature of a freshwater swimming pool engineered to extend into the sea. Though now shallow and submerged, it vividly sparks the imagination about life here two millennia ago. It is a reminder that our modern desire for luxury, perhaps exemplified by today’s infinity pools, is not so different from the desires of the past.
7) Hippodrome
Originally built as a chariot racing stadium, it was later repurposed for gladiatorial games. In a grim chapter of history, some 2,000 Jewish prisoners were forced to fight each other here to the death in the 1st century AD.
8) Crusader Fortifications
Impressive sections of the formidable city walls built by the Crusaders still stand today, a testament to the site’s strategic importance through the ages.
9) Crusader Restaurant
A modern Mediterranean restaurant within the park grounds. It appeared to be an excellent spot for a meal, but our schedule did not permit a stop; we merely paused to take a photograph before moving on.
Crusaders Restaurant inside the park
STOP 2 | HAIFA - A City of Coexistence and Beauty
