The Gihon Spring was the main source of water for the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem. The spring was not only used for drinking water, but also initially for irrigation of gardens in the adjacent Kidron Valley. Today, the spring is sometimes used by Jewish men as a sort of mikvah (ritual bath).
Three main water systems allowed water to be brought from the spring to the city under cover: Warren's Shaft, Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Middle Bronze Age channel. Warren's Shaft and Hezekiah's Tunnel can be viewed today when visiting the City of David National Park.
