Western Wall Tunnels

Although it’s impressive enough as is, the enormity of the Western Wall only becomes truly apparent when one descends belowground. The Western Wall Tunnels run along the 485 meters of wall that is otherwise obscured by the houses of the Old City.

Coming up against the lower levels of the Wall, visitors can get a feel for the enormous technical challenges surmounted by Herod the Great in his grand project to expand the Temple Mount. A case in point is the Western Stone, which is almost 14 meters in length, weighing in at some 570 tons.

The Tunnels were first discovered during excavations conducted in the 19th century by British archaeologists, but the real excavation work was done after the Six-Day War by Israel’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Because they run along the Western side of the Temple Mount, where the Temple’s Holy of Holies used to be, the Tunnels also afford access to a spot just alongside the Foundation Stone. There is a small synagogue at the site where Jewish worshippers pray and recite psalms.

Please note that all tours are guided. The awe-inspiring tour begins at the Western Wall Plaza and lasts approximately 75 minutes. Tickets for the tours (at a fee) should be pre-ordered by calling the phone number or can be made online. 

Getting There: Bus no. 1, 2, 38.

Fax: +972-2-626-4828