Kishle ‎

Kishle is an archaeological site near the Tower of David with excavated layers showing different building periods. The structure contains remains from the First Temple era through the British Mandate period.

The site was built in 1834 as an Ottoman military barracks. It later served as a prison for Jewish resistance fighters during British rule in the 1940s.

The name comes from a Turkish word meaning barracks. You can see marks from different periods layered into the walls, showing how the city was built and rebuilt many times.

It is best visited with a guide who can explain the different layers and findings. Wear good shoes as the ground is uneven and there are many steps.

One excavated section rises about 17 meters high and displays an almost unbroken sequence of building layers spanning more than 2,700 years. This vertical cross-section is a rare chance to see the full construction history of a place in one spot.

Location: Jerusalem

Inception: 1835

GPS coordinates: 31.77581,35.22877

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06