Thomas Kinkade flew to Israel in Spring 2006 and painted 10 images.
On the sea-coast of Israel about halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, lies
the ancient trading port of Caesarea.
Caesarea was originally called Straton's Tower after its founder
Straton, who is believed to have been a ruler of Sidon in the 4th century
BCE. In 96 BCE the city was captured by Alexander Yannai and remained in
the Hasmonean kingdom until it became an autonomous city by Pompey. After
being in the possession of Cleopatra, ruler of Egypt, the city was returned
by Augustus to Herod the Great.
Herod the Great, ruler of the Land of Israel from 37 to 4 BCE, expanded
the port and renamed the city "Caesarea" to honor Roman Caesar Augustus. In
13 BCE Caesarea was made the civil and military capital of Judaea, and the
official residence of the Roman governors (Procurators). The trading port
exported products from the region to all over the Mediterranean.
Caesarea is an important site in Christian history. It was the place
where Pontius Pilate governed during the time of Jesus. This was where
Simon Peter converted the Roman, Cornelius, the first non-Jew to believe in
Jesus. Paul was also imprisoned for two years in Caesarea. During the 3rd
century, Caesarea was a center of Christian learning. In the 4th century,
the site converted to Christianity and became a major center of the
Christian Roman Empire.
Today, Caesarea is one of Israel's major tourist attractions and an
increasingly popular place for Israel's elite to make their homes.
