Antonia Fortress

Antonia Fortress
Proposed reconstruction of the Antonia Fortress at the Holyland Model of Jerusalem
Alternative nameHebrew: מבצר אנטוניה Imperial Aramaic: קצטרא דאנטוניה
LocationJerusalem
Coordinates31°46′33.42″N 35°14′10.38″E / 31.7759500°N 35.2362167°E / 31.7759500; 35.2362167
Typefortress
History
BuilderHerod
FoundedFirst century BCE
AbandonedFirst century CE
Periodsearly Roman period
Site notes
Public accessLimited

The Antonia Fortress (Aramaic: קצטרא דאנטוניה) was a citadel built by Herod the Great and named for Herod's patron Mark Antony, as a fortress whose chief function was to protect the Second Temple. It was built in Jerusalem at the eastern end of the Second Wall, at the north-western corner of the Temple Mount, and was connected to the Temple by porticoes.