Hezekiah's Pool, archaeological site in Israel
Hezekiah's Pool is a large water reservoir located in the heart of Jerusalem, surrounded by houses and shops in a densely built area. The pool covers about three-quarters of an acre, has a cement-lined bottom with natural rock underneath, and once held millions of gallons of water, though it is now dry.
The pool is believed to have been built by King Hezekiah around 700 BCE to secure the city's water supply. Over the centuries, it became part of a complex water distribution system with aqueducts that brought water from outside the city walls into Jerusalem.
The pool is named after the biblical King Hezekiah and has been called by different names throughout history, including 'Pool of the Patriarch's Bath'. Water from this reservoir served the needs of residents nearby for washing and daily activities, making it essential to how people lived in the city.
The pool is located in Jerusalem's Old City within the Christian Quarter, hidden among buildings and shops with narrow pathways leading to it. Access is limited because it is surrounded by private property, so check beforehand about current visiting possibilities.
The historian Josephus called the pool 'Amygdalon,' which means 'almond tree' in Greek, though scholars believe the name may derive from a nearby structure or tower. Recent cleanup work in the area has exposed previously blocked entrances and sparked interest in possible future archaeological examination of the still-hidden parts of its history.
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