The Grand Palace and Fortress, the very Highest Peak in the Judaean Desert. Herodium is a major archaeological site, home to an impressive palace dating to the time of King Herod. Located about 10km south of Jerusalem, the site was also the burial location of Herod, hence the tumulus shape of the hill. Herodium is known as “Mountain of Franks” or “Jabal al-Fourdis” the “Mountain of Paradise”.