Herodium, among the most famous of King Herod the Great’s desert palaces (he built seven!), served as Herod’s final resting place, according to the famed historian Josephus. It was also the site of the tragic fall and subsequent death of the sites most famous and long-standing archeologist, Ehud Netzer, in 2010.

Herodium stays in your memory because of its appearance; a conical mountain, the top shaved off and filled with luxurious bath houses and pools. A secret entrance built through the rock. Finally, the view, from the highest mountain in the area, towards Jerusalem in the distance, and the Dead Sea below.