What is the Tower of David?

I’ve wanted to visit the Tower of David ever since I confused it with the City of David, haha.

It did not disappoint!

It was a Friday afternoon in July, and I was allowed in for free, and basically told to run through it because they were setting up for an event and would close soon. SO, I didn't see everything. And, I couldn't, because I hear one of the most spectacular things about this place is its night shows. Definitely have to go back!

Anywho, the Tower of David is actually a citadel in Jerusalem that is so famous it has been used as a symbol for Jerusalem for centuries. The current ruins date back to Mamluk and Ottoman times, about 500 years ago, which is why there is a minaret there.

But, it stands on a foundation of fortifications from Hasmonean (400-100 BC), Herodian, Byzantine, and Early Muslim periods. It's been destroyed and rebuilt a lot! There are archaeological remains in the quarry that date as far back as 2,500 years! So when you're walking through it, you see architecture and remains from many different periods all around, on top of, and beside each other. So cool!

It's called the Tower of David because tradition holds that in that same location, 3,000 years ago, was a massive tower built by David. The Byzantine Christians started calling it that in the 5th century AD.

Today, it's a popular place for shows, concerts, and big events. Messianic artist Joshua Aaron even recorded a live album here a few years ago. How cool is that?

My favorite parts, however, were the 360 view on top of the Phasael Tower and walking around in the moat.

Ready for the tour?

There are remains in this section from both Hasmonean and Herodian periods:

Hasmonean Era ballista stones (around 200 BC):

There's a cistern here dating back to the Byzantine period:

Statue of David:

Medieval Statues:

There are also 3-D maps of Jerusalem during different periods, and also some of the citadel, but I don't have any good pictures of them.

As you can see, the minaret was under construction while I was there:

I wish I had a better description for everything inside; there aren't that many signs and the brochure I was given doesn't have much information. I wasn't able to listen to the audio tour because they were closing in less than an hour. But you can walk all through here on protected paths, as well as go up the walls and walk around the top (and up the towers. It's amazing!

But the view is what made me want to linger. It was gorgeous!

This is looking outward from the Old City:

The King David Hotel! You can't see it in the picture, but I could see both American and Israeli flags flying on top. That's because the American President was visiting that week.

Looking inward:

A very hot, sweaty me:

But that's not all, because you can walk around outside the citadel as well, around the moat and through Herodian Pools (dry in summer) and see the construction from the outside. It's incredible! And, a lot more shade available, making it a great place to sit and eat an apple.

That's it for this tour. Until next time... when I have more time and can listen to all the audios, or go to a night show. The Tower of David was actually closed for a good part of this year for renovations, so it will be cool to see what is 'new'.

What a cool place!

Walking on the Walls of Jerusalem

You can see a lot from the top of the walls of Jerusalem. On a clear day view stretches for miles. It's incredible to see all of these historical places in perspective from up high.... definitely gives a new understanding of this important and beautiful city!

On a hot July afternoon, my friends and I decided to walk on the Northern route of the Ramparts walk, starting at the Jaffa Gate. In the distance (below) you can see the Tower of David (next week's post). These walls are almost 500 years old, constructed by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s.

The entrance to Jaffa Street!

I love this French hospital. Such a beautiful building!

Definitely very little shade up here! Bring water!

Looking out from the Arab quarter:

I'm not sure why, because I knew where we were, but when I looked up and saw the hillside beside the building, it took my breath away. There it is: Golgatha.

The ancient and modern together always amazes me.

Turning to look inside the Old City, here's the rooftop view with the Mosque in the middle:

A peek at the Mount of Olives:

That's it for the tour of the northern part of the Ramparts Walk. I hope to go back and walk the southern route later this year. Stay tuned!

This Jerusalem Wall dates back to King Hezekiah!

You'll never know what you'll find when walking around Jerusalem, especially in the Old City!

I was walking through the Jewish quarter to the Western Wall when I saw this. It's an ancient city wall dating back 2,600 years—to King Hezekiah!

 

It is 7 meters thick (around 23 feet)! 

It's hard to see, but on the corner of the building back left, there is a marker showing the believed height of the wall.

Could this be the wall Isaiah refers to in 22:10: "You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall"? I'll have to ask him one day!

Where was Stephen buried?

According to tradition, this church is built over the place where Stephen, the 1st martyr who followed Jesus, was buried.

I've been to a lot of churches in Israel, and I didn't expect this one to be so breathtakingly beautiful.

The light! 

The colors!

Take a look for yourself at what is now one of my favorite churches in Israel:

Meaning “the House of the Camel”, but it’s also suggested to have something to do with Rabbi Gamaliel the Elder.

Nowadays, there’s a monastery here and some caves. In one of these is where tradition says that Nicodemus and Gamaliel buried the body of Stephen, the first Christian martyr in from Acts 7.

The murals tell the story. Can you see the man in blue holding garments at the stoning? That would be the man responsible for writing most of the New Testament: Saul of Tarsis, before he met Jesus.