In the 19th century, the abandoned ruins of Masada attracted the interest of archaeologists. Thanks to archaeological work in 1955-1956 and 1963-1965, the remains of the fortress became one of the most attractive tourist sites in Israel.

The Western Palace, with its wall paintings and mosaics and one of the largest bathhouses in the Middle East, is partially preserved. The Northern Palace is preserved as well as a ritual bathhouse and a synagogue built by Herod, considered the oldest in Israel.

Many interesting items from the time of Herod, the Jewish uprising and the time when monks lived there have been discovered. Particularly noteworthy are fragments of papyrus and parchment scrolls containing biblical and apocryphal texts.