Israel’s Treasures: 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

This picture taken on October 12, 2022 from atop Mount Carmel (Mount Mar Elias) shows a view from the top of the Shrine of Bab at the Bahai Terraces, or the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, and a view of the city of Haifa below in northern Israel. PHOTO BY RONALDO SCHEMIDT/GETTY IMAGES 

To be included in the prestigious list, cultural or natural sites must meet multiple criteria such as representing a masterpiece of human creative genius, containing superlative natural phenomena, or being outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth’s history.No visit to Israel is complete without a trip to Masada, and it seems the experts over at the UN agree.

The ancient mountaintop fortress, where a group of Jewish families held out for several months against the mighty Roman Legion, stands starkly against the backdrop of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea and is an absolute sight to behold.