The views from the top alone make it worth the entry fee to the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem. Take the time to explore its exhibits too, however, and you will enjoy a tour through the city’s eventful history.
The impressive citadel that houses the museum actually has no connection with King David. Learn how it is thought that the fortress began life as the palace of King Herod. It was then rebuilt and expanded several times by various rulers of the city. When the Byzantines arrived in A.D. 300, they mistook the citadel for Mount Zion and assumed it was David’s palace. This resulted in the name Tower of David.
Today, the city’s history is evident in the citadel’s architecture, as you can see elements added by Muslims and Crusaders. Various archeological ruins remain for visitors to explore. Be sure to find the excellent scale model of the citadel on the level between the entrance hall and the staircase to Phasael Tower.
In the museum itself, start off by viewing ancient letters written by the governor of Urusalim (Jerusalem), the first evidence of a city on this land. Next, explore how the Romans built Pagan temples here during the 1st century and the Mamluks made the city a center of Islamic study in the 13th century.
See a wonderfully restored model of 19th-century Jerusalem and look through 20th-century tourists’ scrapbooks to find out how past visitors explored this city. With audio-visual presentations, maps, models and even holograms, you can follow the story of Israel’s largest settlement right through to the present day.
Visit the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem at the beginning of your trip to help make sense of the city. It is open Monday through Sunday. An admission fee applies, but the audio tour is free of charge. Relax with an afternoon coffee in the café, or come in the evening to buy tickets to the sound and light show and see a spectacular view of the citadel.
