Alexandreion, Archaeological fortress in Jericho Governorate, Palestine
The Alexandreion is an archaeological fortress standing on a hilltop in the Jericho Governorate with surviving stone structures and water reservoirs. The ruins overlook the Jordan Valley and reveal the remains of what was once a strategic military installation.
The fortress was established between 104 and 77 BCE by Alexander Jannaeus as a military outpost and later served under Herod the Great as a detention center for political prisoners. This shift in purpose reveals how the structure transformed from border defense to a place of confinement.
The fortress appears in ancient texts under different names, with Jewish scholars referring to it in the Mishna and Talmud as Sartaba. These varied names show how different communities understood and recorded the site in their own traditions.
Access to the archaeological site requires permits and sturdy footwear is essential for navigating the uneven terrain. Visitors should prepare for exposed conditions and bring plenty of water, as the hillside location offers little shade.
The site was a burial ground for two sons of Herod the Great, Alexander and Aristobulus, who were executed on their father's orders. This tragic history remains embedded in the ruins and shapes the place's significance to this day.
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