The City of David Jerusalem

It all began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left his old stomping ground in Hebron and headed for the hills of Jerusalem, then a Jebusite city.

As the Bible tells it in 2 Samuel, David and his band of ruthless warriors conquered the city, establishing the capital of what would soon become an Israelite empire at the foothills of Mount Moriah. Although David was sure the task of building a temple on Mount Moriah would fall to him, God entrusted David’s son, King Solomon, with the job. The rest is history.

Situated deep belowground in the Arab village of Silwan, outside the Old City’s Dung Gate, is the City of David, the remains of the once-grand citadel where a dynasty of Judean kings once ruled.

These days, archaeological excavations continue under many of the houses in Silwan, revealing many exciting new finds. A massive visitors’ center, overlooking the remains of a building some believe was the palace of Jerusalem’s kings, has been built to accommodate the many tourists who frequent the site.

The center offers an exciting tour that begins with an observation overlooking the remains of Biblical Jerusalem. The tour descends through Warren’s Shaft and continues underground, where visitors can get an up-close look at the most recent archaeological finds. It ends at the Gihon Spring, where according to tradition Solomon was anointed king.

Adventurous visitors with a taste for ancient water cisterns are invited to take the plunge and wade through the waters of the 2,700-year-old Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Guided tours of the City of David are available in Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, German and Russian. Reservations are required ahead of time.

Fax: +972-2-627-4365

Email: irdavid@cityofdavid.org.il

Getting There: Bus no. 1, 2, 38