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Davidson Center - Archeological Park Jerusalem
For many decades all that Jews had left of the glorious Second Temple was the Western Wall; a site cherished by the Jewish people as the last remaining artifact from their most sacred house of worship. Songs that have become national anthems were written about the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, like Naomi Shemer's "Jerusalem of Gold" written as a response to the Six Day War of 1967, odes where sung to this site and secret prayers where written on pieces of paper and packed into the Wall's crevasses. The Western Wall was also the historical landmark were Israeli soldiers wept with joy as they reclaimed the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six Day War. To this day, the iconic image of the Israeli soldiers weeping before the Western Wall resonates with Jews in Israel and the Diaspora alike and carries strong religious and nationalist meanings.
However, in recent years Jews have enjoyed more than just the Western Wall atop the Temple Mount . Indeed, tireless archeological diggings have uncovered an astonishing wealth of artifacts related to the Temple Mount and dating back circa the time of the Second Temple. The result has been the construction of an archeological park (including the Davidson Center), the first of its kind in Israel, which is a tribute to centuries past. And while a visit to the Western Wall remains a staple of any tour to Israel, an exploration of the Archeological Park is nearly as important and every bit as interesting.
Ophel Archeological Park - Where History Comes to Life
Located near the Old City's Dung Gate, the Ophel Archeological Park is one of Israel's most impressive archeological sites and by far the country's most inspiring outdoor museum. Best known for its excavation of hidden parts of the Temple Mount, the Ophel Archeological Park features an array of historical artifacts and impressive architecture dating back to antiquity. Meticulously designed with a chronological timeline in mind, the park leads visitors through the ages—beginning with the Bronze Age (the time of the Canaanites), through the days of the First Temple, to the heyday of the Israelites during the Second Temple and the reign of King Herod the Great.
Remaining true to the structure of ancient Jerusalem , the park features remnants of residential areas displayed right along side vestiges of commercial high streets, all basking in the old glory of the Second Temple. But what is so unique about the Ophel Park is that, in conjunction with its chronological order, it is also built in layers. Not only does it take visitors into a conceptual time machine, transporting them from the time of the First Temple to the time of Christianity and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, but each and every artifact in the park spans some 5000 years—its layers; its construction, destruction and reconstruction, all visible and accounted for.
One of the park's most captivating features is Ronbinson's Arch , named after the 19 th century American archeologist who uncovered it. Originally built by Herod the Great as a means of easy access from the upper city of Jerusalem to the Temple Mount (these were separated by a steep valley), all that remains of the arch today is its bare structure. However, it is the forward thinking style and architectural innovation often associated with Herod's Jerusalem that is nothing short of breathtaking!
Whether on a group travel or a private tour to Israel, visiting this slice of history-come-to life is well worth the time. But a word of warning before you go: remember that Israeli summers tend to get quite warm. It is better to visit the park earlier in the morning or the late afternoon if you are traveling to Israel during the summer months.
Davidson Center
Situated at the entrance to the Ophel Archeological Park, just a few steps away from the Temple Mount, the Ethan and Marla Davidson Exhibition and Virtual Reconstruction Center was built on the ruins of a seventh century A.D. Muslim palace.
Newly built, the Davidson Center is an architectural feat and a technological wonder. Its state of the art technology provides a visual and aural explanation of all the artifacts found in the Ophel Park. Whether visiting the center prior to your visit at the Archeological Park or after, the Davidson Center provides visitors with rich detailed information.
A definite highlight of the Davidson Center and a favorite with those on a family trip to Israel, is the virtual reality screen which reconstructs, in real-time via high resolution 3D screens, the glorious Second Temple as it was in the time of King Herod.
For those less fond of the traditional museum experience and for those less inclined to read a lot, the Davidson Center offers the perfect alternative!
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