Explore the 2,000-Year-Old David’s City Pilgrimage Path: Uncover Hidden Jerusalem History

Daniel Kim 2026.02.10 Views

A 2,000-year-old path has finally unveiled itself to the world. Since January, the Pilgrimage Route of David’s City in Jerusalem, once trodden by millions of pilgrims en route to the Temple Mount, has opened to the public. Now, visitors can walk the hidden heart of this sacred site, stepping back in time.

The Israel Tourism Authority reports that this ancient thoroughfare, dating back to the Second Temple period, connected the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount’s summit, serving as Jerusalem’s main street.

An illustration depicting the ancient path (Copyright - Shalom Kveller, City of David Archive) / Photo - Israel Tourism Authority — An illustration depicting the ancient path (Copyright – Shalom Kveller, City of David Archive) / Photo – Israel Tourism Authority

This 600-meter-long (about 1,968 feet) and up to 30-meter-wide (98 feet) pilgrimage route lay buried deep beneath modern Jerusalem. Its complex underground structure made it one of Israel’s most challenging and costly archaeological excavations.

A bustling marketplace on the way to holiness

Excavations revealed that this wasn’t just a simple path. It was a vibrant ancient market street where pilgrims purchased offerings and goods before continuing to the holy site.

Archaeologists unearthed a treasure trove of 2,000-year-old artifacts, including ancient coins, merchant weights, and stone measuring tools, painting a vivid picture of the area’s thriving commerce.

Israel Ministry of Tourism

The Pilgrimage Route of David’s City (Copyright Koby Harati, City of David Archive) / Photo – Israel Tourism Authority

Hidden history beneath the stones

But the real showstopper lies beneath the paved road. A massive aqueduct was discovered, which served as a hideout for Jewish rebels evading Roman forces. The site yielded a fascinating array of artifacts – pots, clay oil lamps, hundreds of bronze coins, and even a Roman soldier’s sword. These findings offer a glimpse into the city’s tumultuous final moments before Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem.

A royal road… or not?

While long believed to be a creation of King Herod, recent discoveries are rewriting history. The unearthed evidence suggests this area was home to the wealthy elite, not working-class residents. This has led to an intriguing theory: could Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor infamous for sentencing Jesus to crucifixion, be the true architect of this road? It’s a possibility that’s shaking up historical interpretations.

Israel Ministry of Tourism

The Pilgrimage Route of David’s City (Copyright Koby Harati, City of David Archive) / Photo – Israel Tourism Authority

Walk in the footsteps of history

Today, the Pilgrimage Route of David’s City is part of the City of David National Park. Visitors start near the Pool of Siloam and journey through underground passages, following the very path pilgrims took 2,000 years ago. Be sure to wear comfy walking shoes – some sections might be a bit damp. As you walk, you’ll feel the weight of history with every step, imagining the sights, sounds, and experiences of those ancient travelers.