City of David: Always Something New
In the summer of 2024, we launched “Mitzpe David”, the new City of David visitor’s center at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade, and the longest zip line in the country, offering an exhilarating ride of 731 meters (!) against the backdrop of the Old City. The zip line is a unique extreme attraction for anyone who, like us, loves Jerusalem.
Additionally, as part of the development of the Peace Forest, we have introduced tzimmers in our camping area. The tzimmers are fully equipped from A to Z, providing a luxurious lodging experience while ensuring sustainability, in harmony with the surrounding nature.
Alongside our newly expanded accommodation options, one may now host their weekend celebratory event in the Peace Forest. The entire complex can be yours for a festive, fun, and private family weekend or any event you want.
Ancient Culture at the Farm in the Valley
This past year, the Farm in the Valley has flourished, bringing the ancient crafts of ancient Jerusalem to life. At a special Shavuot event, we showcased, for the first time, demonstrations of traditional crafts that were once integral to daily life in Jerusalem: goat milking and cheese making, pottery wheel crafting, basket weaving, and more.
In our commitment to preserving ancient culture, the Farm has introduced workshops that are both physically and cognitively accessible, offering everyone the opportunity to learn about ancient agricultural crafts in an engaging manner, in accordance with the seasons.
“Learning through the senses is the most effective approach, not only for individuals with disabilities,” says Sarah Barnea, a guide at the City of David. She adds, “This place is truly a remarkable gift”.
Surprising discoveries unearthed this year
This year, no small number of discoveries were made in the City of David excavations. The most extensively excavated biblical site in the world continues to yield rare discoveries.
Here are just a few highlights:
During an archaeological dig conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, a gold ring was discovered by Tehiya Gangate, an excavator in the City of David.
This remarkable gold ring, set with a red gemstone, is characteristic of the ancient Hellenistic period in Jerusalem. A similarly-designed ring is available for purchase at the City of David Store, allowing you to take home a special memento.
A bat skeleton was found in one of the structures during excavations in ancient Jerusalem. This skeleton served researchers in groundbreaking research conducted in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science. The research presented a new dating method that allows for more accurate dating of many findings, reshaping previously accepted paradigms in archaeological research.
