Jerusalem - Citadel

Immediately south of the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem is the Citadel, popularly known as David's Tower (though strictly speaking this is only one of its towers). It has, however, no connection with David, having been erected by Herod to protect the palace he built around 24 B.C. to the south of the Citadel. Its three towers were named after Herod's brother Phasael, his wife Mariamne and his friend Hippicus. After Titus's conquest of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 the Romans stationed a garrison in the Citadel. Thereafter it fell into disrepair and was successively repaired and rebuilt by Crusaders, Mamelukes and Turks. What is now called David's Tower was built in the 14th century on the foundations of Phasael's Tower; the northwest tower occupies the site of Hippicus's Tower.

The Citadel now houses a museum on the history of Jerusalem and a folk museum and has some interesting excavations. From the Citadel, and particularly from David's Tower, there are superb views of the city. In the evening (except on Friday) an impressive son et lumière show on the history of Jerusalem is presented in the Citadel.