The hill is 2,487 (758 meters) high and is conical in shape. It served as a fortress for king Herod’s luxurious palace, that was built inside. Excavation of the palace began in 1972. It was a luxurious place at the time, with many special facilities like a theater and bath houses. In 2007, archeologists announced that they had found king Herod’s tomb inside the hill. His sarcophagus is largely destroyed, supposedly by rebels who later occupied Herodium and had no love for the ancient king.
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