Under the Streets of Jerusalem

As you already know, not all the action in Jerusalem is above the ground. The other day I went exploring in Ir David – the City of David. The entrance is at the top of Ir David, opposite the Givayi parking lot and just below the Dung Gate of the Old City.

It’s been years since I was there (in fact I was there when they first opened the museum and all that was there were a few walkways). In another post I will show pictures from the museum, but now I have something just as interesting.

Part of the museum is Warren’s shaft, a Canaanite tunnel and Hizkiyahu’s tunnel – in which runs the Gihon spring and ends in the Shiloach pool.

The water is only deep at the very beginning, but the tunnel gets very tight and low at various points, so if you are going to do this hike take that into account. If you go during a rainy period, the water in the tunnel is going to be very high. If you didn't bring water shoes, they sell cheap ones at the kiosk.

At the end is copy of the original inscription left by the workers from the period of King Hizkiyah and the Shiloach pool.

Warren's Shaft

Canaanite Tunnel

Surprised tourists, not expecting that flash to go off

The Gihon Spring in Hezekiah's Tunnel

The inscription at the entrance to the tunnel

Kids wading in the Shiloach Pool

Shiloach Pool from above

SL

Queen Helena Slept Here

Back in October I discussed the Shiloach, or the City of David.

If you've tried parking in the Givati parking lot at the entrance to this neighborhood any time in the past half year you've noticed the construction site that made this small parking lot even smaller. Actually it is an archeological dig.

It turns out, according the Jerusalem Post report, that they found a major 2nd Temple period palace believed to be the palace of Queen Helena (who also has a street named after her in Jerusalem - though not one we've looked at just yet in this blog).

The discoveries lately in the City of David have been amazing.

SL

Sponsored by Colony Real Estate Professionals

The City of David

There is no way that a simple post can do the City of David justice, so I recommend you go here for more information.

Known as the Shiloach, Silwan, and the Lower City, the “City of David” was Israel’s capital after King David captured it from the Jebusites some 3000 years ago. Buried underneath this city lies the amazing history of the Jewish people.

Today it is a layered congestion of slums, new buildings, and amazing archeological finds.



Below is the Ir David Archeological Museum where the uncovered remains of the Palace of King David has been found and can be seen.

SL

Sponsored by Colony Real Estate Professionals