Masada Northern Palace

The Northern Palace was the more private of Herod's Palaces at Masada. It was built hanging over the northern rock scarp of Masada and consists of three terraces where were supported by terraces. The terraces were connected by an external staircase. It is about 120 feet tall.

From the palace's balconies and windows Herod, and his special guests, could enjoy the spectacular landscape of the Dead Sea on the east, the Mountains of Judah to the west, and the oasis of En Gedi to the north.

The fortified palaces included sleeping quarters, reception and banquet halls, balconies, a library, and a small private Roman bath! The palace walls were adorned with frescoes and its floors with mosaics.

It seems to me that Herod may have been imitating some Roman Sea Side villas that hung on rock scarps into the sea—but here, was suspended high above the desert below!