The City Of David
It all began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left his old stomping ground in Hebron and headed for the hills of Jerusalem, then a Jebusite city.
As the Bible tells in Samuel 2, David and his band of ruthless warriors conquered the city, establishing the capital of what would soon become an Israelite empire at the foothills of Mount Moriah. Although David was sure the task of building a temple on Mount Moriah would fall to him, God entrusted David’s son, King Solomon, with the job. The rest is history.
Situated deep below ground in the Arab village of Silwan, outside the Old City’s Dung Gate (Sha’ar Ashpot), is the City of David, the remains of the once-grand citadel where a dynasty of Judean kings ruled.
These days, archaeological excavations continue under many of the houses in Silwan, revealing many exciting new finds. A massive visitors’ center, overlooking the remains of a building some believe was the palace of Jerusalem’s kings, has been built to accommodate the many tourists who frequent the site.
A TASTE OF CITY OF DAVID’S TOURS
There are many fascinating tours from which to choose and adventurous visitors can take a plunge into an ancient water cisterns, wading through the waters of the 2,700-year-old Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
Guided tours of the City of David are available in Hebrew, English, French, Spanish, German and Russian. Reservations are required ahead of time. Here are a few of the tours available to you.
A TOUR OF THE BIBLICAL CITY OF DAVID
A fascinating tour into the heart of ancient Jerusalem, the city of kings and prophets, where half of the biblical books were written and where the most amazing and exciting archeological discoveries have been made in recent years in Jerusalem. The route of this guided tour about the First Temple period includes:
- An impressive panoramic view
- A new 3D model
- The Royal Acropolis (Area G) and remnants of remarkable homes from the biblical period
- The underground water system from the time of Abraham including recent discoveries of the Canaanite fortress that guarded ancient Jerusalem’s main water source – the Gihon Spring
- A walk with flashlights along the Hezekiah Tunnel, inside the waterways
- Or for those who want to stay dry, a walk along the Canaanite channel
AN ENCHANTED JERUSALEM TOUR
This night tour, which takes place every Thursday, begins with a look at the breathtaking views from the “Beit Hatzofeh” which accentuates the fact that the biblical City of David is substantially lower than Jerusalem’s newer Old City walls. An impressive 3D movie revealing Jerusalem’s glorious past is followed by the guided tour which is accompanied by impressive lighting that illuminates new and interesting artifacts from biblical times. The tour ends at the ancient Royal Acropolis (Area G) where an artistic light show projected on the antiquities tells the story of the City of David through movement and sound.
SEGWAY TOURS – THE VEHICLE OF THE FUTURE ON THE PATHS OF THE PAST
Enjoy the breathtaking views and peaceful atmosphere of Armon Hanatziv’s landscape along the lesser known yet stunning paths opposite the Armon Hanatziv Promenade under the canopy of trees in the Peace Forest. This is a nature experience inside the city, offering beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere with ancient Jerusalem off in the distance, with the City of David standing at its center.