City of David
The City of David is one of Jerusalem’s busiest and most popular tourist attractions. The City of David is located within the Old City of Jerusalem’s walls and provides a long list of attractions which will entice visitors of every age, interest and religious background. Approximately half a million tourists visit the City of David each year.
The City of David was originally constructed more than 3,000 by King David. He created a small village to be his capital city when he ruled over the Israelite tribes. Just a few meters away from that site, David’s son, King Solomon, built the First Temple. A tour through the City of David begins before David himself, with Abraham, the Patriarch of all three major religions, and continues through the history of Jerusalem into modern times. Different tours are offered through the City of David to best answer the needs of different groups.
The Biblical Jerusalem Tour follows the kings and prophets of the Bible into Hezekiah’s tunnel and shafts below the Old City of Jerusalem, through hidden underground spaces and natural springs. This tour is led by flashlight and includes many stairs and cramped spaces. This tour also includes a 3D film about the City of David. The Ascend to Zion Tour focuses on the Second Temple period. Visitors pass through the architectural remains of the 2,000 year old city, see recently unveiled archeological excavations, get up close to the Temple Mount and walk into the Shiloah Pool. Enchanted Jerusalem is an evening tour featuring a 3D movie about the City of David, a walk through David’s Palace and city, a light and sound show looking out onto the Old City of Jerusalem and live music in the King’s Garden. Specialized group tours, Bar and Bat Mitzvah trips and other personalized experiences can be created by the professional staff at the City of David.
The City of David hosts the annual Jerusalem Festival of Light during the month of June. The festival is free of charge and includes light and sound shows which shares the many layered history and characters of the ancient city who once lived within its walls, as interpreted by Israeli artists. Special tours are lead through the City of David during the Jerusalem Festival of Light. In 2011 tours included “A City Enveloped in Light – Tour of the Old City’s Enchanted Quarters”, “To the Heights, Towers and Walls – A Tour along the Wall” and “David’s Ten Stringed Harp – To Mount Zion and the City of David.”
Advanced booking is required for all tours. Please check tour recommendations as age requirements and recommended equipment, as well as tour times, costs and languages differ based on the tour. The City of David can be reached on foot through the Dung Gate, or by various public Jerusalem bus lines. Parking is available at the Givati parking lot. The City of David National Park is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 am until 7 pm and Fridays until 2 pm. Closing time is at 5 pm during the week and 2 pm on Fridays during the winter season. Warren’s Shaft and Hezekiah’s Tunnel close one hour before the City of David site.
In addition to its regular, on site programs, the City of David is also responsible for a variety of attractions in other sections of Jerusalem. In the area surrounding Armon Hanatziv Promenade, visitors can book Segway tours, paintball games inside the Peace Forest and tours of the Hasmonean Aqueducts built to move water from Solomon’s Pools up to the Temple area. In the Temple Mount area, the City of David offers a sifting project, giving visitors a chance to experience an archaeological dig and a Legacy Tour through the Mount of Olives historical Jewish cemetery.
Each fall, the City of David hosts Israel’s largest archaeological conference with experts coming from all over the world to share new findings in the world of Ancient Jerusalem and its Temples. The City of David also hosts regular lectures and exhibitions for the general public to come and learn about the history of Jerusalem throughout the centuries. All activities should be booked in advance as space is always limited.