Tower of David, Ancient citadel in Old City, Jerusalem
The Tower of David is a citadel of pale ashlar blocks near Jaffa Gate, its crenellated walls stepping down toward the right, with a slender cylindrical minaret rising from a square tower. Below the walls, the masonry continues down a steep rocky slope. Inside, ten galleries of the Jerusalem Museum combine archaeological finds, documents and interactive displays.
The citadel stands on fortifications begun around 150 BCE and on three towers Herod added in 37–34 BCE, of which about 16 courses of ashlar remain. Mamluk sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun rebuilt it in 1310, giving it much of its present shape, and Suleiman the Magnificent added a 50-metre wall section in 1538. The Jerusalem Museum opened here in 1989, and the New Museum of Jerusalem followed in 2023.
The old name refers to King David, though the fortification came later, and the site now serves as a venue for historical performances and events in the courtyard. Visitors can walk along the tower walls and look out over the quarters surrounding the Old City from above.
The visit covers several floors and involves a fair amount of climbing, so visitors should allow time and wear sturdy footwear. On sunny days, there is little shade in the courtyards and terraces, making water and sun protection advisable.
The highest tower offers a panoramic view over the rooftops of the four quarters of the Old City and the hills surrounding Jerusalem. Evening light and sound shows project historical scenes onto the inner walls of the fortification.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,452 contributors worldwide.
