What is…
Antonia

also known as: Antonia Fortress

This is a fortress in Jerusalem, at the northwest corner of the temple area. It is called “the castle” (Acts 21:34, 37).

From the stairs of this castle, Paul delivered his famous speech to a multitude below (Acts 22:1-21). It was originally a place where the vestments of the high priest were kept. Herod fortified it, and called it Antonia in honor of his friend Mark Antony.

It was of great size, and commanded the temple. It was built on a plateau of rock, separated on the north from the hill Bezetha by a ditch about 30 feet deep and 165 feet wide.