The Tower of David in Jerusalem

The Tower of David, a.k.a. The Citadel, is one of the oldest structures in Jerusalem. The first fortress was built on this spot by Herod the Great (about 72 to 1 BC). From that time the fortress has been rebuilt multiple times. It was the site of the Palace-Castle of the Crusader Kings and Queens of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099-1291 AD). It remained a military stronghold from the days of Herod the Great down to 1967 AD when it was captured from Jordan by Israel. That means that throughout history, the Jews, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottoman Turks, British, and Jordanians all used it as a military fortress. The Israelis have opened it up as an informative museum about the history of Jerusalem.

The majority of the present structure dates from the Mamluks (1291-1517 AD) and the Ottomans (1517 to 1917 AD) and was built on Crusader foundations. However, you can still see mammoth stone blocks of King Herod’s Phasael Tower on the northeast side of the tower inside of Jaffa Gate.

During the reign of King Herod the Great (about 72 to 1 BC) this fortress was built on the north side, adjacent to his Jerusalem palace. It served primarily to offer Herod protection from his subjects. The palace, of which no part is now visible, was one of two possible locations where the wise men or magi visited Herod seeking the Newborn King. It is also the probable location where the Roman Prefect Pilate interviewed and condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion.