Ancient Monuments

Hasmonean Palace

The Hasmonean Palace was the palace of the famous Hasmonean dynasty. It was located on the Western side of the Upper City. It contained a roof called the Xystus with where the people in the large square below could be addressed. It had large courts, living quarters, baths, and a service court....

Read More

Capernaum Synagogue

Numerous synagogues were set up in Jerusalem, including one for freedmen, or ex-slaves. There were no less than 480 synagogues in Jerusalem during Jesus' time. The well preserved synagogue at Capernaum dates from the first or second century AD and could be the site of the building where Jesus spoke. About the only synagogue visible today which for ...

Read More

Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria

In the ancient world there once stood the 500 foot Pharos Lighthouse on an island in Egypt. Built in 290 B.C. one could easily notice it when approaching the famous Alexandria Harbor. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world....

Read More

Palace of Caiaphas

The high priest at the time of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, Caiaphas, did not live there but in another section of the Upper City. Jesus' informal trial before the Sanhedrin probably took place in one of the large halls of his palace. Peter denied Jesus in one of these courts. The Ossuary of Caiaphas was discovered in Jerusalem by archaeologists. ...

Read More

The Colosseum

The Colosseum was the largest and most famous of all Roman amphitheaters. It was originally constructed by the Emperor Vespasian just after 70 AD., and was dedicated by his son Titus in 80 AD. It was known in ancient Rome as the Flavian Amphitheatre, and was completed by Titus' younger son Domitian. The Colosseum was built in the valley between the...

Read More

Damascus Gate

The Damascus gate and Herod's gate were in the north wall of Jerusalem. The Damascus Gate was the chief entrance into the city....

Read More

Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda was located on the eastern side of the city near the Fortress of Antonia. The name Bethesda means "house of mercy." The water source was a nearby spring. The Pool had five porches and according to the Bible there was a tradition that an angel moved the waters at certain times and healed the sick. It was here at the Pool of Beth...

Read More

Tomb of David

Behind the Palace of Caiphus stood the Tomb of David which is a monument that marks the spot where David's tomb was located. The real spot for the tomb is on the southeast hill in David's city....

Read More

Tomb of Absalom

The traditional site of Absalom's Tomb is located on the eastern slope of the Kidron Valley, on the east side of Jerusalem. Josephus wrote about this tomb, which existed in the first century A.D. (Antiquities vii. 10, § 3). It stands twenty feet high and twenty-four feet square....

Read More

Phasael Tower

Herod the Great built the Phasael Tower and named it after his brother who died before he came to power. It was the largest of the three towers built to protect the western side of the city of Jerusalem and his grand palace. It stood 145 feet high. The most beautiful of the three was the Mariamne Tower named after his favorite wife..The Hippicus To...

Read More