The Jerusalem Archaeological Park – Davidson Center

Here we were again- our annual pilgrimage to the actual site of the historical actual destruction of the holy Jewish Temple 1951 years ago- the exact location on the exact date. This year once again with two fasting teenagers. Can anything be more meaningful than remembering the history and mourning the catastrophe while standing directly in front of the building Wall boulders that were toppled by the barbaric cruel sadistic hateful monstrous and malicious Roman gladiators?…. see my photos…. This location has fantastic ancient findings, including the remains of 2000 year old stores and shops from the time of the end of the Second Holy Jewish Temple- this is also of religious meaning obviously for non Jews. One can also see and visit and walk on the actual steps to the Temple- exactly as they were 2000+ years ago, and to stand at the famous Hulda Gates of entry into the sacred compound- still intact (something that we have done in the past on our annual visit, but not for the past three years). We said our penitential commemorative papers in a newly renovated section called Ezrat Yisrael (that’s the Google translation). I call the place Help Israel. Anyway, it is supposed to be where non observant people are to go to pray- once again, as every single time of the very many visits to the place- not a single one performing any kind of commemoration or ritual. A very religious renewal of settlement in the Land of Israel group from a Sit school came and performed their ablutions on the Destruction. See my photos of the famous prayer book of Comfort Lion which fell over the ledge of the visitors area but was retrieved by one of the leaders of the Sit. Everything that I wrote here is, as always, true… because… “I visited this place.”

Yes- that’s what you will see and experience at this large, massive, sprawling and impressive site. It encompasses the southern side of the western wall and the entire southern wall of the retaining structures that King Herod built to surround and support the Holy Temple more than 2000 years ago. If you want to see and touch ancient history, here is your spot. If you want to walk and visit places that were visited and walked on by historical personages and figures from 2000 years ago in Jerusalem and Judea, this is the place. If you want to know what a religious Jewish person saw and did when visiting his Holy Temple 2000+ years ago, this is the place. The area is full of archaeological stuff- all original from more than 2000 years ago- original streets, original remnants of buildings, stores and ritual baths etc. But the part that is most incredible and meaningful for me, as stated and written previously, is the area where one comes face-to-face with the tumbled massive building boulders that were toppled by the evil brutal pagan idol worshiping destructive Romans... and that, of course, is exactly where we went (see my few photos). There is entry for pay through that Davidson Center- a museum of artifacts that I haven’t been there in maybe 17 years- read the reviews of others. I enter via a free side location known as Ezrat Yisrael. It leads to a lower platform opposite a less famous (by far) section of that Western Wall (but still equally as holy). Again this year, we were virtually alone (of course this is the era of corona). It was of course the 1950th commemoration day of Tea Shah Above, the Hebrew date of the destruction of this elegant edifice and despite our 25 hour fast of total abstention of food and drink, we walked the whole way- the 66 year old leading the way for the younger ones. If you want to connect to history and architecture, this is the place. For more details and to read about exploring other parts of this site, see my previous reviews, when I explored the place virtually alone during the midnight hours- August 2019, April 2018 and August 2017. I’ve included a few photos for you to see- primarily of those boulders and the corners of the structure- because we didn’t explore this year- we had religious contemplation at this most significant important site- reflecting on our past, our present.... and our hope for the future. To all my TripAdvisor friends, followers and readers: I wrote this with you in mind and hope that you find this “helpful” (and yes- that’s a hint). So in conclusion- again this year: “I visited this place”