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2,000-year-old Pilgrimage Road to Temple Mount opens to public after years of digging

The ancient Pilgrimage Road, a 2,000-year-old stepped street connecting the City of David to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, has opened to the public after two decades of excavation. This significant archaeological site, believed to have been built during the early years of the common era, offers visitors a direct path once used by millions of pilgrims ascending to the Temple for major festivals. The road, which runs beneath the modern neighborhood of Silwan, reveals remnants of ancient shops, ritual baths, and ceremonial podiums, providing a tangible connection to Jerusalem's biblical past. While the excavation has sparked controversy due to its location and impact on local residents, the opening has drawn international visitors eager to experience this historic journey firsthand.

Tour guides and participants described the inaugural walks as deeply moving, with many expressing a sense of connection across millennia. The site is now accessible through guided tours, and interest has been high, with tours quickly filling up. The reopening of the Pilgrimage Road is being hailed as one of Jerusalem's most remarkable archaeological discoveries, offering a unique blend of history, spirituality, and living heritage.

Original article source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-year-old-pilgrimage-road-to-temple-mount-opens-to-public-after-years-of-digging/
Source Id: 9070359276

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