The top of the plateau of Masada

The plateau is more or less flat, has a diamond shape, stretching from south to north with size of 550 by 270 meters. The fortress occupies the whole of this area. Josephus writes that the days of Herod the soil inside the fortress was 'fat' and could be reserved for the vegetable gardens and orchards, to supply products of the garrison during the siege. The picture shows the view from the plateau of the Snake Gates trails. Ruins of the so-called Small (guest) palaces are seen.