Gihon Spring, Natural spring in Kidron Valley, Jerusalem, Israel
Gihon is a natural spring in the Kidron Valley southeast of the Old City, emerging from a cave measuring roughly 6 by 2 meters. The water feeds into several ancient channel systems that once supplied the city with water.
The spring was Jerusalem's main water source during the Bronze Age, forcing residents to build systems to use it effectively. This led to the construction of different channels and tunnels that evolved over centuries.
The name comes from a biblical river and refers to flowing water. Visitors can still observe how water emerges from the cave and moves through the valley today.
Access requires descending steep steps into the valley, so sturdy shoes are important and caution is needed. The best time to visit is in cooler months when the paths are less slippery and exploring is more comfortable.
Warren's Shaft is one of the oldest known water transport systems, fascinating archaeologists by showing how cleverly ancient residents brought water into the city. The narrow tunnel was carved into the rock and let people reach water safely without leaving the city.
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