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South of Jerusalem is the City of David. In 1500 BC, when it was called Zion, they dug tunnels and this 30 foot vertical shaft to get water from the Gihon Spring (which was outside the city wall and down the hill). King David's army couldn't penetrate the walls, so he had some men climb up the shaft and open the gate from the inside. Then he renamed it the City of David!   About 700 BC, King Hezekiah had a tunnel built from this same spring. It's about a third of a mile long, waist deep in running water, and no lights. Makes you a little nervous when the width is two feet and sometimes the ceiling is only five feet! Here is the entry as I head in! (See my cool swim trunks in the pict above.)  Hezekiah's Tunnel ends at the Pool of Siloam, considered a place with healing powers. So I decided to get full benefit!  Click on picture to hear him chant the first ten seconds of the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic!  Dungeon below the House of the High Priest Joseph Caiaphas. Believed where Jesus was tortured on his last night. See the indentions at the top of the left arch where hands could be secured.  Alongside the House of Caiaphas is the Road of Getsimmons (spelling). See it in the foreground and in the next picture. Traveled by many to get to Jerusalem. Including Jesus on his final entry into the city on a donkey (Palm Sunday). This area is near the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus three times.   Lunch in Bethlehem. This restaurant was built in 2000 to seat 500 people. Then Israel Tourism dropped off 99%. It's back up now, but the Palestinians controlling Bethlehem make it hard to visit. So now the restaurant opens only by special appointment. Very nice, very good food!  Herodian! This picture does not convey its height of 25 stories built from a level plain...  A Fortress on top...  View from the Fortress...  Underground cisterns (for water storage)...  A secret "side of the mountain" exit...  And stones for the catapult!  Even the plant life is fascinating!  "Fear is not a Factor" at the Herodian Sacrificial Altar!  A ready sacrifice at the Herodian Sacrificial Altar! I'm sure glad it's no longer in use!!  Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Believed to be built on the location of Jesus' birth. Constructed in 529 AD, it is the oldest Christian Church in the world. It was not destroyed with the rest because the Crusaders' Banners were mistaken for non-Christian. See the Crusaders Cross in the top left?  Inside the Church of the Nativity. I was experimenting with my color filters.  The physical spot where Jesus was born. You can reach into the hole and touch the glass covering up the dirt.  The physical spot where the manger was.  Click here to go to Day 3! |