The Pilgrims Road

We are a nation that constantly looks back at its roots and heritage and keep uncovering amazing finds. One such find is a magnificent street that was recently uncovered in Jerusalem in the City of David.

The City of David is mentioned in the Bible as Jebus. The City of David is a later name given by King David after he conquered it (Samuel II ch:9). The City of David was the beginning of nowadays Jerusalem. Today, it is outside of the Old City walls (Ottoman Walls). During King David’s period until Herod it was within the walls.

Recently, the Pilgrims Road has been uncovered in a neighborhood called Silwan. (Just imagine what an immense project this is! Uncovering what used to be an external open road, and is now underneath the houses of an existing neighborhood.) Hence, archaeologists were challenged on how to continue digging, but, without causing any damage to the houses above.

So, what is this Pilgrims Road?

It is 600 meters long, ascending from the Siloam Pool all the way up to the Holy Temple, paved with large smooth stones. The road itself was very wide (~19 meters) at its southern part and it got narrower (6 meters) towards the Holy Temple. It was a central commercial street with shops and businesses at both sides.

The pilgrims used to cleanse & purify themselves in the Siloam Pool prior to ascending to the Holy Temple on this road. This is the place where Jesus met the blind man and told him to put mud on his eyes and then to go to the Siloam Pool and wash it.

Beneath the Pilgrims Road, runs a sewage tunnel (some call it the Pilgrims Tunnel, not to be confused with the Pilgrims Road). During the big revolt against the Romans, some Jews fled there trying to find refuge. However, the Romans found them and killed them.

I’d like to thank the Watchman for this wonderful video.