Caesarea Maritima (12) - 19 May 2014

Centuries of history are preserved at Caesarea Maritima in a specially administered National Park. I reflected at length after a very enjoyable visit but could not decide whether or not I was entirely comfortable with what has been done there. Many historic sites present their remains with some sort of museum or interpretation centre nearby. Caesarea has been developed to incorporate a range of attractive shops and restaurants in architecturally sympathetic styles. The whole is a tourist and leisure destination with the ruins seeming, in places, almost decorative or incidental. On balance though, the many layers of history associated with the location made it a memorable visit.

In the background is the minaret of the Bosnian mosque which dates from the late 19th century and the arrival of Bosnian immigrants.

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