Overview
Explore the hidden history of ancient Jerusalem, from Mount Scopus to the underground City of David, uncovering a 3,000-year-old settlement. Please note, this tour involves over 5 miles of walking in hilly terrain, so consider your mobility.
About this activity
Languages
English
Departure days
Monday, Thursday,
Pickup included
Pickup and drop off from a close by hotel
Highlights
Full description
The City of David Tour commences with a captivating view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Here, we'll gaze upon an ancient Jewish cemetery and catch sight of Temple Mount beyond the Old City walls, where the Dome of the Rock stands majestically. On the slope of Mount Scopus, the enchanting Garden of Gethsemane and the neighboring Church of All Nations, adorned with its exquisite mosaic façade, await our exploration.
Our journey through the City of David Tour includes a pause at the ancient Jewish burial tombs nestled in the Kidron Valley. We'll then rejoin our bus and proceed to the Old City. Our Jerusalem tour leads us through the Zion Gate, ushering us into the Armenian Quarter within the Old City, where our knowledgeable guide will delve into the unique history of this community.
Continuing our exploration, we venture into the Jewish Quarter to witness the excavated Byzantine-era Cardo, a street that thrived 1,500 years ago as Jerusalem's main thoroughfare. It's worth noting that the Crusaders later built shops along this historic route, which are now filled with modern stores.
A pivotal highlight of any Jewish Jerusalem tour is the Western Wall, the sole surviving remnant of the Second Temple, which fell in 70 AD. Devotees from around the world converge here to offer prayers and place personal notes between the ancient stones of the Western Wall (Kotel).
We bid farewell to the Old City through the Dung Gate, embarking on a fascinating underground tour of the City of David. This meticulously excavated city is believed to be the original settlement in Jerusalem, with a history spanning 3,000 years. Ingeniously carved subterranean tunnels were hewn from rock to transport water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam at the City of David. Before concluding our tour, we'll pause at the Spring of Gihon.
In the event that a visit to one or more of the Spanish synagogues is not feasible, we'll make an alternate visit to the Hurva Synagogue.
