Jerusalem: The Underground Kingdom

Jerusalem is an ancient city, but the streets and neighborhoods we see now are still its modern appearance. The "childhood and youth" of the city can only be seen deep underground, at archaeological excavations.

On the territory of the Temple Mount excavations an archaeological reserve "Ofel" was created, in which the Davidson Tourist Center was opened. Everything there is well thought out for tourists: computer technology "brings dead stones to life" and makes the archaeological exposition very expressive. You will go back to Jerusalem before Christ was born, and an interactive virtual model of the city will help you do that. You will also see the films "Pilgrim's Diary" and "Excavation Diary" (high definition technology).

By the way, the 3D movie "Time Lift" can also be seen at "Beit Agron" on Hillel Street, 37. It is dubbed into dozens of languages. The film creates an absolutely real feeling of presence (water droplets on the skin, the rocking of the boat, etc.). In 40 minutes, you'll be whizzing through the history of the Holy Land, Jerusalem, the beginnings of Christianity and Islam.

In the Ophel reserve you can examine the ritual pools for ablutions (mikveh in Hebrew). Everyone going to the Temple had to wash off the road dust here. The excavated ruins of Byzantine era houses and palaces of the Umayyad dynasty will be of interest.

On the slope of Mount Zion are the most ancient excavations. It is here, on this hill, in the town of Jerusalem several thousand years ago that King David moved his capital. This place is called the City of David. His son Solomon later built the first temple nearby. There is also an archaeological reserve open here. The tourist center of the reserve offers underground tours of the City of David excavations. This is where many of the events of the biblical legends took place. Here, in these fortresses and passages, the blood poured during David's storming of the ancient city described in the Bible. Tourists will see the famous Gihon spring. Near this spring, Solomon was anointed for kingship. Gihon source supplied water to Jerusalem more than 40 centuries ago. A tunnel was dug from the spring 2700 years ago - a hidden water supply system for the city. The bravest can walk through it with a lantern.

The City of David is probably the only place on the planet whose guide is the Bible. From the observation deck in the City of David you can see a panorama of the Kidron Valley.

Jerusalem in ancient times was surrounded by mountains (Zion, Temple Mountains, Mount of Olives, Abu Tor), between which, respectively, lay valleys. The city of King David overhangs the Kidron (Jehoshaphat) valley. The valley was named after the brook Kidron, which means "dark, dusky." It is in this valley, according to the Old Testament, where the trumpets of the archangels will sound and the Last Judgment will begin. Therefore, this valley is a sacred place for believers of three religions: Christians, Muslims and Jews. Its slopes are dotted with tombs and tombs many meters deep.

Here are the tombs of David's son Absalom, the prophet Zechariah, Saint James the brother of Jesus, and King Jehoshaphat of Judea.