City of David - "The place where it all began"

Entering the site of "City of David" in Jerusalem there is a sign with the words "The place where it all began"

Today touristically speaking the old city of Jerusalem, the one inside the Ottoman walls of 500 years ago, is considered the most requested and visited attraction, with its markets, its places of worship of the 3 major religions and its charm. middle Eastern.

City of David site entrance

But a stone's throw from the Western Wall is the site of City of David, archaeologically speaking the oldest core of the city of Jerusalem, and in fact one of those places where the Bible really comes to life before our eyes. .

Like for example the splendid panoramic view of the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley and the Temple Mount, where we can walk with our eyes the same path that probably made the patriarch Abraham and his son Isaac in the biblical episode of the failed sacrifice, which happened according to tradition on Mount Moriah, identified right on the Temple Mount, on which King Solomon will build the majestic Temple of Jerusalem.

The view on the Royal District of City of David

Or the remains of a splendid majestic building (the palace of King David and his dynasty?) Located in the center of the site of City of David in Jerusalem, where among other things some seals dating back to the Iron Age have been found with names of officials mentioned in the very Bible itself.

The remains of the royal palace of the King David dynasty

Typical capital of the Iron Age

There is also the 3,000-year-old residential neighborhood of Jerusalem richest people, built at the foot of the royal palace (this will be where King David watched from his balcony the beautiful Bathsheba bathing and decided that she would be his at all costs?)

A toilet found in one of the houses in the royal quarter of the city of David the presence of a toilet inside the house indicates the presence of wealthy people

The remains of the houses in the royal quarter of the city of David located at the foot of the royal palace

Or the majestic water system, Hezekiah's tunnel, dug in 701 BC to prepare for the siege of the Assyrians who came with their formidable army to destroy Jerusalem. Hezekiah's tunnel was dug to ensure safe drinking water during the siege. Hezekiah's tunnel can still be traveled today with an itinerary in which you walk in the water following the same steps as the two teams of builders who dug it 2,700 years ago starting from two different points and meeting halfway to complete the tunnel (without the tools we have available today!)

Descent to Hezekiah's tunnel the water system of the city of David

The path in the water of Hezekiah's tunnel in City of David

Commemorative inscription in the old Hebrew alphabet for the completion of Hezekiah's tunnel

These and many others are part of the City of David site in Jerusalem. A real world to be discovered where the Bible comes to life before our eyes!

I invite you to contact me on your next visit to Israel and to book your Jerusalem Tour!