The Tower of David Museum is one of Jerusalem’s most famous tourist sites. It stands at the entrance of the Old City as a testament to three millennia of Jewish presence in the Land of the Bible. It dates back to the original city built by King David, survived the Jewish diaspora and is now an integral part of the modern State of Israel which was reborn in 1948.
Tower of David gets seven new galleries
When Covid-19 stopped tourists from going to Israel, this ancient tower was able to receive its first major makeover in years. Lockdown meant that archeological experts have been able to undertake renovations that will preserve the site for future visitors and pilgrims.
“This was a rare and unique opportunity for archaeologists because we have a lot of questions about the Citadel, both archaeological and historical, and it’s not every day you get the chance to explore this ancient symbol of Jerusalem,” said Amit Re’em, who is Jerusalem’s Chief Archeologist, in an interview with CBN News.
The main goal of the Tower of David Museum is to bring the story of Jerusalem to life says Eilat Lieber who is the museum’s director. He is excited to once again welcome tourists and pilgrims to the renovated site and especially to the seven new galleries.
“Suddenly, the stones start to speak. We are excavating… We discover hidden passages, ancient walls, ancient fortifications. It becomes alive.”
“It’s a huge project to renew this museum for future visitors, with seven new galleries that tell the story of Jerusalem, but it’s more than this,” Lieber said. “You can see the layers upon layers upon layers and understand the beauty of the evidence, the archaeology, and the history together, the combination is really unique,” he added.
Jerusalem’s Chief Archeologist and the overseer of the whole project, Amit Re’em said that visiting the Tower of David Museum is critical to learning about the history of Jerusalem. He and his team of archaeologists are used to discovering relics of the past. “Suddenly, the stones start to speak,” he says. “We are excavating… We discover hidden passages, ancient walls, ancient fortifications. It becomes alive.”
The chief archeologist encourages tourists and pilgrims to visit the Tower of David before they visit Jerusalem itself. “The new exhibits, tell the history of Jerusalem from the ancient period to the modern period, and the archaeology that you see right before your eyes, are a perfect combination to give the visitor the ultimate experience!”
SOURCE: CBN News
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Joyca,
I loved your story. Are there parts of the tower still open to tourists?