Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau, akin to a mesa. It is located on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea 20 km east of Arad. The rhomboid-shaped mountain towers 434 metres above the level of the Dead Sea. It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of the early Roman Empire, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea. Masada is one of the greatest archaeological sites in Israel and, perhaps, across the world. Its dramatic ascent can now be made by cable-car.

credit: Michael Panse

Ellora is a site of outstanding cave temples, datable between c. ad 575 and the end of the 9th century, 20 km north of Aurangabad in the Sahyadri Hills, Maharashtra, India. The cave temples and monasteries are excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment. The 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jai temples. The Caves not only bear witness to three great religions (Buddhism, Brahminism and Jainism) but they also illustrate the spirit of tolerance, characteristic of ancient India, which permitted these three religions to establish their sanctuaries and their communities in a single place, which thus served to reinforce its universal value.

credit: Travelling Slacker

It is one of the 7 world heritage sites in Sri Lanka and is one of it’s most popular tourist destinations. Rock fortress is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near town of Dambulla of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high, which dominates the jungle from all sides.

credit: Amila Tennakoon

credit: Ronald Tagra

credit: Jon Connell

credit: mistermunay

credit: S J Pinkney

credit: S J Pinkney

credit: S J Pinkney

credit: Paul Mannix

credit: eiko

credit: Sudharsan.Narayanan

credit: POTIER Jean-Louis