As you walk through Sha’ar Yaffo to enter the old city of Yerushalayim, I’m sure you’re familiar with the impressive tower and moat that you’ll soon see on your right. “That’s the David Citadel,” you’ll tell curious children who ask. Was this fortification really built by King David? What was it used for? What’s there to see inside?

According to current archeological theory, the ancient city of Yerushalayim from the time of David Hamelech was farther south, which today we call “Ir David.” So how did this tower come to be called the “Tower of David”? In the Middle Ages, a Byzantine Christian pilgrim to Jerusalem described his visit to the tower. He called it the Tower of David and described how he climbed the tower and recited Psalms inside. It seems that it was the Christian pilgrims, eager to associate their find with King David, who gave this tower its name. It was built long after the time of David Hamelech.

Among the earliest excavated remains found inside the citadel are parts of the city wall from the time of the Chashmonaim. Perhaps this is part of the wall mentioned in the Book of Maccabees. Nearby, large amounts of ballista balls and arrowheads, Hellenistic-era weapons, were found. Perhaps these are the remains of an attack by the Seleucid King Antiochus VII against Yerushalayim, years after the Chanukah story?

The story of the “David Citadel” continues. After defeating the last of the Chashmonai kings, King Herod built three towers on the remains of the Hasmonean structures and named them after three people who were most dear to him, Patzael, Hypicus and Mariam (his wife.) The only tower currently standing, which we know as the Tower of David, is believed to be the remains of the Patzael tower. It was built at the northern end of the city, which was the weakest point and thus integral to the fortification of the city.

Throughout history the citadel served as part of the fortification of Jerusalem. During the Crusader era there was a time where the Crusader king sat in the citadel after leaving his original post on the Temple Mount. Much of its architecture is similar to medieval fortresses with a moat, a bridge and shooting holes. During the Ottoman era, a minaret was added to the mosque inside the citadel. It’s fascinating that this minaret of a mosque later became a Jewish Zionist symbol of Jerusalem. In 1917, British Gen. Allenby proclaimed martial law in Jerusalem on the steps of the citadel.

The citadel clearly displays thousands of years of the history of Yerushalayim. The current newly renovated museum takes this to a new level with its modern hi-tech exhibits. A visit to the museum begins in the first hall where interactive screens teach about each era of the history of Yerushalayim. Nearby displays exhibit artifacts uncovered in the citadel from each era.

Outside, in the courtyard, one can walk past the wall from the time of the Chashmonaim and see the ballista balls that still remain. One almost feels like he is journeying back in time in the courtyard of this ancient fortress.

A highlight of a visit to the museum is the Judaism room which displays artifacts relevant to different eras of Jewish history in Yerushalayim. In the center is a stunning model of the second Beit Hamikdash. Surrounding it one can see coins from different eras of Yerushalayim. A hi-tech display of the Arch Of Titus makes this famous scene of the Churban come to life in full color!

After the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, the menorah became a Jewish symbol as is evident from the remains of ancient synagogues and coins from the era. Replicas of these are also displayed in the Judaism room.

Modern Yerushalayim is also an important part of the museum. One room hosts a model of Yerushalayim built by Stephen Illis in 1873 for the World’s Fair. It’s fascinating to explore this incredible model and point out structures we still see today. Of course, since it was built for a Muslim audience, the size of the mosques and minarets are not exactly to scale.

A visit to the Tower of David Museum is not complete without climbing to the peak for a stunning 360-degree view of Yerushalayim. As we stand in this ancient fortress and look out over the city, our hearts fill with prayer. May we soon merit to see the rebuilding of Yerushalayim, speedily in our days.

Note: Much of the information for this article was gleaned from material put out by the Tower of David Museum.

Hava Preil is an enthusiastic licensed Israeli tour guide. She grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and holds an M.A. in Judaic studies. Hava has developed and taught accredited courses in Tanach and Jewish ethics for Naaleh/Woodmont College and Cybersem. She currently lives in Givat Ze’ev with her family. Hava can be reached at IL:054-844-1579(845) 391-0438 or at [email protected]. Visit her new website, havapreiltours.com. Hava is also offering virtual tours of various sites in Israel, a perfect activity for your school, synagogue or youth group.