City of David

The City of David is the historic site of ancient Jerusalem, predating the current Old City walls by centuries. Its story began over 3,000 years ago when King David captured the Jebusite fortress and established it as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. This narrow ridge, situated south of the Temple Mount, offered strategic advantages including the Gihon Spring, the only permanent water source in the region, which was vital for the city's survival and growth. During the First Temple period, the city underwent significant expansion and fortification. King Hezekiah famously engineered a 533-meter-long tunnel through solid rock to divert the Gihon Spring's water into the Siloam Pool, ensuring a steady supply during the Assyrian siege of 701 BCE. Excavations have revealed monumental structures, including the Large Stone Structure believed by some to be David's palace, and the Stepped Stone Structure, a massive supporting wall for the royal acropolis. In modern times, the City of David has become one of the most active and significant archaeological sites in the world. Since its rediscovery in the 19th century by explorers like Charles Warren, continuous excavations have unearthed layers of history from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine era. Today, it serves as an open-air museum where visitors can walk through the very tunnels and streets mentioned in biblical texts, bridging the gap between ancient scripture and tangible history.