The Pilgrimage Road

On September 15, the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David was inaugurated in its entirety – the main street of Jerusalem from the Second Temple period, which led from the Pool of Siloam up to the Temple Mount. In a festive and moving ceremony, attended by the Prime Minister of Israel, the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, the Mayor of Jerusalem, and other dignitaries, one of the most important archaeological and historical discoveries in the Land of Israel was celebrated.

Built during the Second Temple period, this impressive street was one of the main thoroughfares of ancient Jerusalem, connecting the Pool of Siloam with the Temple Mount. Along its length, archaeologists uncovered coins, weights, and a measuring table that attest to a bustling marketplace – the “Mamilla Mall” of ancient Jerusalem – a central street lined with shops and stalls leading to the city’s most sacred destination: the Temple Mount.

Beneath the street, an ancient drainage channel was discovered, which served as a hiding place during the Great Revolt. Among its remains were cooking vessels, oil lamps, hundreds of coins, and even a Roman sword – vivid testimony to the dramatic final days of Jerusalem before its destruction.

Recent research reveals that the residents of this area, once thought to be of modest means, were in fact members of Jerusalem’s elite. Findings further suggest that Pontius Pilate, the well-known Roman governor, initiated the construction of the street – and not Herod, as previously believed.

In the coming months, the Pilgrimage Road will be opened to the general public. Want to be the first to know when it happens and reserve your spot? Leave your details in the form below.