Caesarea (modern town) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caesarea
קֵיסָרְיָה
|
|
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • standard | Keisarya |
| • official | Qesarya |
 |
|
 Caesarea
Location in Haifa region of Israel
Caesarea
Location in Israel
|
|
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Haifa |
| Council | Hof HaCarmel |
| Founded | 30 BCE (Herodian city) 1101 (Crusader castle) 1884 (Bosniak village) 1952 (Israeli town) |
| Area | 35,000 dunams (35 km2 or 14 sq mi) |
| Population
(2017)
|
5,127 |
Caesarea (also called Keisarya or Qaysaria) is a beautiful resort town in central Israel. It's known for being a fancy place to live and visit. The town got its name from the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, which is just a short distance south in the Caesarea National Park.
Caesarea is located on the coast, about halfway between the big cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa. It's managed by the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council. What makes Caesarea special is that it's the only place in Israel run by a private group, the Caesarea Development Corporation. It's also one of the largest towns not officially recognized as a local council.
Contents
History of Caesarea
Ancient Caesarea Maritima
The modern town of Caesarea is named after the old city of Caesarea Maritima. This ancient city was built by Herod the Great around 25–13 BCE. It became a very important port. It was also a major administrative center for the Roman Empire. Later, it was the capital of the Byzantine province of Palaestina Prima.
When Muslim rule began in the 7th century, the city became smaller. It was mostly an Arab village until the Crusaders took it over. Under the Crusaders, it grew into a major port and a strong, fortified city again. After the Mamluks took control, the city became much smaller. In 1884, Muslim immigrants from Herzegovina settled there. In 1940, a kibbutz called Sdot Yam was built next to the village. In 1948, the village was taken over.
The Rothschild Foundation
After Israel became a state, the Rothschild family gave most of their land to the new country. But they made a special plan for their land in Caesarea. They leased 35,000 dunams (a measure of land) back to a new charity. This charity was called the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation.
The foundation uses money from selling land in Caesarea to support education, arts, culture, and welfare in Israel. The Rothschild family and the State of Israel each own half of the foundation. It also has a special tax-exempt status.
Caesarea Development Corporation
In 1952, the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation created the Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Development Corporation Ltd. (CDC). This company manages the town. All the money the CDC makes from developing Caesarea goes to the Foundation. The Foundation then uses this money to help universities and cultural groups across Israel.
The CDC's main goal is to create a unique community. This community combines a good quality of life with protecting the environment. It also focuses on advanced industries and tourism.
Today, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild leads the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation and the CDC. He is the great-grandson of Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The CDC provides city services, sells land for homes, and manages the nearby industrial park. It also runs Caesarea's golf course and country club. This is Israel's only 18-hole golf course.
Caesarea is still the only place in Israel managed by a private group instead of a city government. It is one of Israel's most upscale communities. Many important business people from Israel and other countries have homes in Caesarea.
Location and Layout
Caesarea is on Israel's coastal plain. It's about 45 km (28 mi) south of Haifa and 45 km (28 mi) north of Tel Aviv. The ancient city of Caesarea Maritima is 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 mi) to the south. The town is also about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Hadera. To the east are the Caesarea Industrial Zone and the city of Or Akiva. The town of Jisr az-Zarqa is directly to the north.
Caesarea is divided into different living areas called "clusters." The newest one is Cluster 13, known as "The Golf Cluster." This is because it's very close to the Caesarea Golf Course. These neighborhoods are wealthy, but the size of the land plots can be different.
Economy and Business
Caesarea is a suburban town. Many people who live here travel to work in Tel Aviv or Haifa.
The Caesarea Business Park is located near the town. About 170 companies are in this park. They employ around 5,500 people. These companies work in areas like distribution and high-technology services.
The neighborhoods have a shopping area with a newsagent, a supermarket, an optician, and a bank. There are also several restaurants and cafes around the town. Some of these are located near the ancient port.
One company founded in Caesarea is Wiliot, which develops supply chain technology.
Travel and Infrastructure
Roads
Highway 2 is Israel's main highway. It connects Tel Aviv to Haifa. Caesarea is connected to this road by the Caesarea Interchange in the south and the Or Akiva Interchange in the center.
A bit further east is Highway 4. This road offers local connections to Hadera, Binyamina, Zichron Yaakov, and other small towns.
Highway 65 starts at the Caesarea Interchange. It goes west into the Galilee region. It connects to cities like Pardes Hanna-Karkur, Umm al-Fahm, and Afula.
Rail
Caesarea shares a train station with nearby Pardes Hanna-Karkur. This station is in the Caesarea Industrial Zone. Trains run twice an hour on the line between Binyamina and Tel Aviv. The Binyamina Railway Station, a major train hub, is also close by.
Culture and Arts
The Roman theatre at Caesarea Maritima is a popular place for concerts. Many famous Israeli and international artists have performed there. These include Shlomo Artzi, Deep Purple, and Björk. The Caesarea Jazz Festival also takes place there. The Ralli Museum in Caesarea has a large collection of South American art. It also displays several original paintings by Salvador Dalí.
Sports and Recreation
Caesarea is home to Israel's only full-sized golf course. The idea for the Caesarea Golf and Country Club came from James de Rothschild. He thought the sand dunes around Caesarea looked like golf courses in Scotland. After he passed away, the James de Rothschild Foundation built the course.
The golf course officially opened in 1961. It was designed by American golfer Herman Barron. The Caesarea Golf Club has hosted international golf competitions every four years during the Maccabiah Games. The course was updated and rebuilt between 2007 and 2009 by golf course designer Pete Dye.
Notable Residents
.jpg)
- Keren Ann (born 1974), pop singer-songwriter
- Laetitia Beck (born 1992), Belgian-born Israeli LPGA and Olympic golfer
- Yoav Cohen (born 1999), Israeli Olympic windsurfer
- Noga Erez (born 1989), singer
- Amit Farkash (born 1989), Canadian-born Israeli actress and singer
- Arcadi Gaydamak (born 1952), Russian-Israeli businessman
- Benjamin Netanyahu (born 1949), politician and ninth Prime Minister of Israel
- Avraham Yosef Schapira (1921-2000), businessman and politician
- Dan Shilon (born 1940), television host, director, and producer
- Ezer Weizman (1924–2005), politician and seventh President of Israel
- Stef Wertheimer (born 1926), industrialist and politician
See also
In Spanish: Cesarea (Israel) para niños
