Tower of David
Jerusalem
The Tower of David, or in Hebrew, Migdal David, is an ancient citadel in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is located near Jaffa Gate. The citadel was constructed during the second century BC and subsequently destroyed and rebuilt by, in succession, the Christian, Muslim, Mamluk, and Ottoman conquerors of Jerusalem. The Tower of David contains archeological finds dating back 2,700 years. Today it is a popular venue for benefit events, craft shows, concerts, and sound-and-light performances.
The Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem was opened by the Jerusalem Foundation in 1989. It is located within the original citadel and includes a courtyard which contains archeological ruins dating back 2,700 years. The exhibits of the museum shows 4,000 years of Jerusalem's history, from its beginnings as a Canaanite city to modern times. Visitors can also climb to the ramparts to get a 360-degree view of the Old City and New City of Jerusalem.
As of 2002, the Jerusalem Foundation reported that over 3.5 million visitors had toured the museum.
Tower of David and the city walls of Jerusalem
Photo: Maglanist, in the public domain
