The Trumpeting Place

The 'Trumpeting Place' is where the priests of the second temple period (5th cent BC to 1st Cent AD) were to stand and blow a trumpet to announce the beginning and end of the Sabbath. A replica of this 'Trumpeting Place' is seen here on the Herodian Street near where it was found; the original is in the Israel Museum. The original inscriptions in the Hebrew words are translated as : "Lebeith Hatkiah Lehach(kriz)" meaning: "to the trumpeting place to [proclaim?]" see 2P.

The Crusader Observation Tower:The Silver dome of the Al-Aksa mosque (3rd holiest site for muslims) is seen behind.

View from the observation tower

Hulda Gates

Jewish traditions say that "Five gates were in the temple mount: the two Huldah Gates on the south, that served for coming in and for going out..." (Mishna ). These were one of the original gates (2000 yrs old) that led people the temple mount (Jerusalem Temple). Today, the gates you see on the walls of Jerusalem are built by Turks and are only 500 years old. More specifically, Hulda Gates consisted of a triple-arched gate on the eastern side and a double-arched gate on the western side. The eastern gates were used for entry to the Temple, while the western gates for exit. Today, one can still see traces of the original triple-arched gates of the Herod Temple and majority blocked and assimilated into the walls. The double-arched gate on the western side are even more obscure and a small portion of the arch can still be seen visible, although most of the portions are hidden by the medieval structure. Another important structure is the monumental flight of steps leading up to the Hulda gates. Although most of the steps were reconstructed, the remains near the western entrance of Hulda gates are from the original period, probably the same steps used by Jesus to enter into the Temple Mount. The name Hulda could be most probably derived from the biblical female prophet who resided in Jerusalem and was contemporary of Elijah (9 cent BC, 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34: 22: 22). Some say she was buried near these gates.

The double-arched Hulda Gate on the western side & remains of the ancient flight of steps leading to the Second Temple period Hulda Gates.

The triple arched Hulda Gates on the eastern side & the ancient flight of steps leading up to the Second Temple through the Hulda Gates.

Columns from the Byzantine church (7-8 cent AD) and the 2nd Temple period (1st cent AD) cisterns.

A residential building from Byzantine period (6-7 cent AD). Was like fully air conditioned inside!

The City of David or Ir David

"You are about to enter the ancient heart of Biblical Jerusalem, where the Kingdom of Israel first emerged onto the stage of history. We will roam among the walls and towers of the City of David and recall King David's exciting conquest of the city from the Jebusites. At the Gihon Spring we willsee the site where the great Solomon was anointed and where Hezekiah cut the remarkable Siloam tunnel out of the rock. If you listen carefully, you may hear the words of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah whispered among the ruins, their ideas of justice and morality echoing through time. The area you are entering is relatively small, but remember: Biblical Jerusalem has had more impact on mankind than any other city in the world! The City of David is the place where it all began..." (Extracted from the brochure about the City of David National Park)

Many don’t know that the 'Original Jerusalem' was founded outside the perimeter of today’s Old City! Yes, the city upon which King David built his capital was outside the current walls of Jerusalem. Before David conquered the city (~1000 BC), Jerusalem was known as Jebus and was inhabited by a smart people called the Jebusites. This small ancient city (12 acres) is surrounded by valleys on all sides (except North, where lies the Temple Mount). The city was well fortified even during the period of Abraham (2000 BC) and Shalem as it was known then was where Abraham met Melchizedek, outside these very walls (Genesis 14:17-20). Joshua couldn't conquer the city (1400 BC) and until 1000 BC, When King David defeated the Jebusite stronghold, Jerusalem was outside Jewish hands.

The Jebusites built their city here for obvious reasons and water was one of the major factor. The city's lifesaving water source was an underground spring called Gihon. The city was built around Gihon and was protected by huge towers. They also made a secret tunnel or shaft to bring the water inside the city. The city was so fortified that Jebusites mocked David that even their blind and lame could defend him (II Samuel 5:6-9). However, David was smarter than they expected. His men took the secret water tunnel to enter the city and conquered it. Finally, David made Jerusalem his capital city. Since then Jerusalem has remained always actively in history for either good or bad reasons.

The gushing water of Gihon (still active and live today) was used to anoint King Solomon (I Kings 1:33-45). Later, when the Assyrians were planning to attack Israel, King Hezekiah made a long tunnel to divert Gihon’s water from the enemies. The diverted water of Gihon is finally collected in a pool called Siloam, the same pool where Jesus performed the miracle of curing the blind man (John 9:1-7). Today, walking past these sites, you can feel the essence of ancient core of Biblical Jerusalem...where it all began.

see more

http://www.cityofdavid.org.il/index.html

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/davidjer.html

Entering the City of David

Royal Quarter or Area G of City of David

One of the most important discovery from the city of David is this enormous stepped stone structure (1200-1300 BC). The structure served as a retaining wall for the citadel above it, probably same as the "stronghold of Zion" captured by King David from Jebusites. The four-pillared ancient house facing us is called the 'House of Ahiel', because the name appears on the potsherds found there. The quality of construction indicates that the place was inhabited by people of stature. A toilet and furniture of imported wood was excavated from this area dating from the same period!

The other interesting findings from the site are over 5o bullae. Bullae are clay lumps onto which a seal is stamped. Names of people in ancient Hebrew including Biblical characters are are found on the bullae. Surviving 2600 years in the debris of the destruction, these magnificent one-centimeter piece of clay came to us complete and in perfect condition retaining the names of biblical personalities like Gemaryahu son of Shafan (Jeremiah 36:10), Azaryahu son of Hilkiyahu (I Chronicles 9:10), Jucal the son of Shelemiah (Jeremiah 38:1), Gedaliah the son of Pashur (Jeremiah 38:1). The findings are breakthrough for biblical archaeology and dramatic proof of the accuracy of the Old Testament. This site is an archaeological heaven and excavations are still going on aggressively.