Western Wall Tunnels: A tour along the wall closest to the Temple

All the information about the Western Wall Tunnels: a tour along the wall closest to the Temple The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites you to go back in time—to the physical and historical foundations of the wall closest to the Holy of Holies, the Western Wall. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the site. With the end of the Six-Day War, a new era began regarding the history and research surrounding the Western Wall and the Western Wall Tunnels. First came the central and open expansion, as we know it today. Then excavations and research expanded northward, beneath the Muslim Quarter. This activity exposed important finds regarding the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount esplanade and the Temple itself. Western Wall Tunnels – Useful information Admission and tours of the Western Wall Tunnels are ticketed, and it is recommended to arrange your visit in advance (you can request guidance in foreign languages by coordination). The tours are guided by a certified guide, and it is not possible to tour the site independently. Tour length: about one to one and a half hours (including escort from the departure point in the Muslim Quarter back to the ticket booths in the Jewish Quarter). Opening hours: Sun–Thu: 9:00–22:00 | Fri: 9:00–13:00 | Sat night: closed. Price: Adult: 30 NIS | Senior / student / soldier / person with a disability: 25 NIS | Child: 19 NIS For details and reservations: Western Wall Heritage Foundation: 5958* (Sun–Thu, 8:30–17:00). To book a tour on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation website >> Main sites the tour passes The arch of Wilson The large, beautiful and impressive supporting arch. The Arch of Wilson is part of a series of arches that formed the basis for the street level and the bridge that led and connected the Upper City to the Temple Mount and the Temple (above today's arch system is Shalshalet Street in the Muslim Quarter). The arch is named after Charles Wilson, a British officer who was among the researchers of the Old City. The Herodian Hall A broad public building constructed near the Temple Mount. Some attribute its construction to the period of King Herod, hence its name. The finely cut stones, capitals, and columns standing in the hall distinguish it from other spaces within the complex. Therefore, it is not out of the question to identify the place as a public building that may have served as a kind of municipal facility responsible for providing basic services and overseeing pilgrims on their way to the Temple Mount. The Great Stone The most famous stone in the Western Wall. Its weight equals that of eight tanks (570 tons!) and it is one of the largest building stones in the world. With dimensions of 13 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 3 meters in height, it leaves everyone wondering how it was brought here. Warren Gate One of the four gates that stood at the Western Wall and led to the Temple Mount esplanade. Warren Gate is also named after another British researcher, Charles Warren (who was also responsible for discovering the Warren Shaft in the City of David). The Herodian Courtyard A small plaza whose original paving has been preserved, and two decorated columns with Doric capitals stand beside it (simple capitals from the classical model found in Greek architecture). It may have been a space within a public building, and the importance of the space lies in creating a different image—up to now—of what we have seen. It is assumed that the construction and paving of the street were not completed and were abandoned (possibly due to Herod's death). This is possibly how the entire street looked before construction. The Hasmonean Water Channel Remains of an ancient water channel dating back to the Hasmonean Kingdom. With the expansion of the Temple Mount complex by Herod, the channel went out of use, and a dam was built in it to prevent water entry. At the end of the channel, you will reach a section of a pool known as "Birkat Hastrátion" (the Pool of Stration). The pool was part of the moat that surrounded the Antonia Fortress (a fortress built at the northwestern end of the Temple Mount). Recommended add-on: The Chain of Generations A special and impressive exhibit that, as its name suggests, presents all the generations of the Jewish people and their connection to Jerusalem. You can certainly begin the trip with the Chain of Generations and then continue to the Western Wall Tunnels. Note: Entry to the complex is not part of the Western Wall Tunnels, and the entrance to it is to the right of the main entrance of the tunnels. Useful information Tours are guided by a certified guide, and it is not possible to tour the site independently. Tour length: about one hour (including escort from the departure point in the Muslim Quarter back to the ticket booths in the Jewish Quarter). Opening hours: Sun, Tue, Wed: 10:00–18:00 | Mon and Thu: 9:00–17:00 | Fri: 9:00–13:00 | Sat night: closed. Price: Adult: 30 NIS | Child / student / soldier / person with a disability (5–18): 15 NIS (with proof of eligibility) For details and reservations: Western Wall Heritage Foundation: 5958* (Sun–Thu, 8:30–19:00). To book a tour on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation website >>