Excavating ancient Jerusalem
Down to the bedrock of Jerusalem: the City of David, Hezekiah’s tunnel, the Western Wall Tunnels and the secrets of the Jewish Quarter.
The shape of the day
This day goes beneath the Jerusalem most visitors see, down to the city of three thousand years ago, the Jerusalem of King David and the Bible.
We’ll discuss how the archaeological findings enhance our understanding of the biblical or rabbinic accounts, and vice versa.
At the City of David, the original core of ancient Jerusalem just outside today’s walls, we explore the excavations and, for those who want, wade through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a water channel cut through solid rock around 700 BC and still running.
We then ascend on a 2000-year-old pilgrim road, going under the Old City walls, arriving at the southern wall excavations. We’ll get a real sense of life in the Second Temple Period and also bear witness to the signs of its destruction.
We’ll then go back underground into the Western Wall Tunnels, following the vast Herodian stones of the Temple Mount’s retaining wall far below the modern street, down to the bedrock the Second Temple stood on.
We’ll finish in the Jewish Quarter, rebuilt after 1967 over its own ruins, where you can explore a huge wall, built by King Hezekiah to protect Jerusalem from Assyrian conquest, and walk the Roman Cardo.
This is one of the day trips I run most from Tel Aviv.
Sites we visit
- The City of David
- Hezekiah’s Tunnel
- The southern wall excavations
- The Western Wall Tunnels
- The Broad Wall
- The Roman Cardo
Who it’s for
This day suits anyone fascinated by how deep Jerusalem goes, the literal archaeology beneath the holy city.
It speaks to Jewish visitors tracing the First and Second Temple periods, to Christian visitors walking the Jerusalem of the Hebrew Bible and of Jesus’s own day, and to anyone who simply loves archaeology and history.
Parts are underground, with stairs and narrow passages (and water, if you do Hezekiah’s Tunnel), so I tailor the route to what you’re up for.
FAQ
Do we have to wade through Hezekiah’s Tunnel?
No, there’s a dry route alongside it. The wet tunnel is the adventurous option, knee-deep water for around 15 minutes in the dark, so bring water shoes and a torch if you want to do it; otherwise we take the dry Canaanite tunnel and you miss nothing of the story.
Is this only for Jewish visitors?
Not at all. This is the Jerusalem of the Bible, the city of David, Hezekiah and the Temple, so it’s just as compelling for Christian visitors and for anyone who loves history and archaeology. I adjust the guiding to your interests and desired focus.
Is it claustrophobic, or suitable for children and less mobile visitors?
The tunnels are narrow and involve stairs, so they’re not for everyone. Children usually love them; if anyone is very claustrophobic or less mobile, it’s probably best skipped.
Tell me any specific concerns and I’ll be honest about what I think is realistic.
Does it pair with the Old City pilgrimage day?
Perfectly: this day will give extra context to those sites, so it’s great to pair them together.
If you only have one day, we can mix and match from both based on your interests.
Make this itinerary yours
Tell me who’s travelling, your dates and where you want to focus. I’ll put together a personalised proposal.
For urgent bookings, send me a WhatsApp
If you are going to Israel, you would be mad not to give him a call.
Amol Rajan, BBC presenter and broadcaster
Having been on trips in Israel with seven different tour guides, Samuel stood above all the rest.
Seasoned Israel traveller
Samuel is one part walking encyclopedia, one part storyteller, one part stand-up comedian.
Berkeley Haas Business School student