The Tower of David
The Tower of David, also known as the David Citadel, is just inside Jaffa Gate. The museum walks you through 4000 years of ancient Jerusalem Old City history and there’s a great view of the city from the tower.
This is also the location of Jerusalem’s famed sound and light show.The Tower of David’s only connection to King David is that he was probably the first to fortify this site. However, the present fortifications were built in the 2nd century BCE. Over the centuries, they have been added to, destroyed, rebuilt or renovated by King Herod, the Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, British, Jordanians and Israelis. The David Citadel has served many purposes besides its principal function as a military outpost. In the 4th century, it was a monastery. The Crusaders built the moat around it and used to protect pilgrims. For 400 years it was a Turkish garrison. In 1917, the Ottoman Empire formally surrendered Jerusalem to the British in front of the citadel. The British were the first to use the Tower as a cultural center. When the Old City fell to the Jordanians, it resumed its military purpose – Jordanian snipers used the Tower’s ramparts as a position from which to shoot Israeli civilians in the streets below. When the Israelis liberated the city in 1967, they renovated the David Citadel to serve once more as a place of culture and education. In addition to its usual displays, the museum hosts a variety of art exhibitions and concerts throughout the year. Hours: Sun- Thur 10:00 – 17:00; Fri 10:00-14:00; Sat 10:00 - 17:00 English tours are Sun-Thurs (and Friday during July/August) at 11:00. Book your ticket for the guided museum tour here.
Sound and Light show: 50 NIS adults; 40 NIS children. The show is Mon, Wed and Thurs, and twice on Saturday nights. Call 02-626-5333 to book tickets and verify the show hours, as times change with the seasons. If you want to do both, visit the museum and catch the sound and light show in the evening, there’s a combination ticket: 65 NIS adults; 55 NIS children.
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