Castle of Herod the Great

Machaerus is known locally as Qala’at Al Meshneq (Castle of the Gallows), a fitting name given that it is renowned as the place where John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas, the successor of Herod the Great. The castle is about 2km past Mukawir village and easy to spot. If you don’t feel in the mood for a climb, it’s worth coming this way just to see the hilltop fortress framed by sea and sky.