Massive 1,500-year-old Cistern Set to Become Jerusalem’s Latest Attraction

Israeli archaeologists discovered a huge, ancient cistern under a playground in Jerusalem and the municipality is determining how to turn the amazing discovery into the city’s next top tourist destination.

By: JNS.org

The Jerusalem Municipality began renovating a playground on Wednesday in the Katamon neighborhood, where a 1,500-year-old water cistern uncovered more than a decade ago might now become a national site.

Discovered in 2005 as a well-preserved relic, the cistern was approximately half the size of an Olympic-sized pool, according to documentation by now-retired Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Uzi Dahari and engineer Ofer Cohen.

Measuring 2,422 square feet in area, its maximum volume is around 300,000 gallons.

The head of the IAA Jerusalem region, Yuval Baruch, said the IAA is open to assisting the municipality in what is needed to grant public access to the site.

MAKE THE LAND OF ISRAEL EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL!

PLANT YOUR VERY OWN FRUIT TREES IN ISRAEL!

Farmers near the Gaza border lost family, friends and workers. Spring is here, and they desperately need help to replant the farms. Join us in blessing the People and Land of Israel.

“I will ordain My blessing for you…” (Leviticus 25:4)

JOIN ISRAEL'S MASSIVE SPRING PLANTING!