May 7th - Jerusalem and the City of David

Another fabulous day....another short post. We covered some serious ground today and it was almost all on foot. It is hard to comprehend what all we saw, the age of the ancient structures, the incredible engineering skills of these ancient people, and most of all the significance of where we are and what we saw.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words so once again, for now I'll leave you with a few pictures from our day. I took over 400 pictures today, so maybe that will give you some idea. I sure hope I can sort them all out when I get home!

I hope you had a great week. We have two more days in Jerusalem and our trip is rapidly coming to an end. It is hard to believe our journey will be over soon, but it is equally hard to believe what all we have seen in just a few days. Here's a sample from today.

 
 
House of Ahiel (presumed to be because they found his name here. Built in the Canaanite period (500ish BC) just outside the city walls.  It was a two story house with about four rooms. The columns here would have supported the second floor.

Entering Hezekiah's Tunnel, an amazing engineering design carved from bedrock that provided water to the city and feed the pool of Shiloam.

A rendering of the fortification and upper collection pool.

Descending into the an area where the Gihon Spring flows with amazing force even today. It is not hard to imagine how it could have provided water for an entire city

This is the edge of the spring. It is so clean and clear you can't see the water in this picture.

We exit through irrigation tunnels that were also dug into the bedrock and provided water for agricultural applications.

The corner of the current "Old City" wall. In the lower right hand corner are stones from the time of Herod.

Corner of the pool of Shiloam. Most of the pool remains is yet to be excavated.

Waters of the Gihon flow through the ruins of the City of David.

We entered the Jaffa Gate for a journey through the city. You may recall we were in Jaffa the first day we arrived.  This would have been the road from Jerusalem to Jaffa. I am so very thankful for buses. It would be a long walk!

Walking through the city streets. There are shops everywhere selling everything!

Courtyard and entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where many believe Jesus was crucified and buried. The church was built over the site and various religious groups claim "ownership" of various holy sites. Struggles continue today over who owns what.

Visitors kiss touch and rub objects over the rock where many believe Jesus' body was laid after being removed from the cross. There are also evidences that indicate this may not be the exact place. Ferrell frequently reminds us that if this is not location, it is in the area and further reminds us that where He was buried is not an important as the fact that He is risen.

Sunlight streams in from the top of the dome of the church into the top a shrine over what many believe to be the tomb of Jesus.

Musistan, an intersection of avenues. It was created in 1903 when the Greek Orthodox Church redeveloped the area.

Walking the Via Dolorosa in reverse.

The market is not just for tourists. We saw many places like this where people set up "shop" to sell fresh produce. This woman is selling grape leaves.

Parking is limited in the old city. You park where you can!

Ruins at Bethesda. There are ruins from a Byzantine church as well as Roman times. It is considered by many to be the area where Christ cured the paralyzed man on the sabbath.

We exit the city through the Lions' Gate.

Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives.

Steps form the time of Christ in the area where Peter denied Christ three times. A church, St Peter in Gallicantu commemorates the traditional spot.

A view of the wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre can be seen in the distance.