On the western side of Jerusalem is an ancient citadel near the Jaffa Gate. Known as the Citadel of David or the Tower of David, it was rebuilt to strengthen the city’s defenses around the 2nd century B.C. It is linked to David because what we see today is built on his original tower and fortifications that were destroyed thousands of years ago. Many artifacts have been unearthed in this area dating back 2,700 years.
The Citadel that stands today is a massive structure and is one of the most striking features of the city. It rests on the site where Herod the Great built his palace at the end of the 1st century B.C. Josephus, a 1st century historian and eyewitness of the times, wrote about the fortified places here. He described beautiful gardens extending over a large area. He also mentioned three massive towers, Phassaelus, Hoppicus, and Mariamme, named after Herod’s brother, friend, and wife, respectively. The huge stones, visible today, are all that remained intact after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
The Tower of David Museum traces the history of Jerusalem over 3,000 years. If you visit the museum, you must take time to climb its ramparts for a breathtaking view of the city.
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