BREAKING: 2,000 Year Old Road Jesus Walked to the Temple Mount Opens to the Public for the First Time
A 2,000 year old road from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount, walked by Jesus Himself, has opened to the public in Jerusalem.
Ancient Road From the Days of Jesus Reopens in Jerusalem: What You Need to Know About the Pilgrim's Path to the Temple Mount
An ancient road built during the time of Jesus Christ has been opened to the public for the first time, connecting the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
The 2,000 year old road, known as the Pilgrim's Path or Road of Pilgrimage, was used by Jewish worshippers ascending to the Temple during the Second Temple period. Archaeologists spent over two decades excavating the stone road, which runs beneath a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
Historians believe the road was constructed either by King Herod or by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, the same official who oversaw the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The road was preserved remarkably well because the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD buried it before centuries of foot traffic could wear it down.
Among the archaeological discoveries along the path are a Jewish ritual bath and a podium believed to have been used for public announcements or the reading of Scripture.
The path now runs through a protective tunnel of concrete and metal built to support the neighborhood above. Visitors can walk the same stone steps that Jesus and His disciples would have walked on their way to worship at the Temple.
It was just the biggest honor to be among the first people to rewalk these steps.
Those were the words of Shira Greenspan, an Israeli resident and one of the first visitors to walk the newly opened road. Jews and Christians alike are seeking out the experience to connect with their ancient faith in a tangible, physical way.
The opening has drawn both celebration and controversy. Palestinian residents have raised concerns that the excavations beneath their homes have threatened the stability of their buildings. The site is located in East Jerusalem, territory that remains disputed in the broader Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Pool of Siloam to Temple Mount: The Biblical Pilgrimage Road That Survived 2,000 Years Underground
The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated for both Jewish and Christian believers. This is the very road described in the Gospels, where Jesus healed the blind man at the Pool of Siloam and sent him to wash in its waters (John 9:7). Every stone beneath visitors' feet is a direct, physical connection to the world of the New Testament.
The Crusader's Opinion
This is the ground our Savior walked. Not metaphorically. Literally. These are the same stones that bore the weight of Christ's sandals as He ascended to the Temple to teach, to heal, and ultimately to fulfill the prophecy of the ages. The fact that God preserved this road beneath the rubble of Roman destruction for two thousand years so that believers today could walk it is nothing short of providential. Jerusalem belongs to the faithful. It always has. Let the world rage and dispute borders, but the stones themselves cry out the truth.
Take Action
- Plan a pilgrimage to walk the Pilgrim's Path yourself. Visit City of David for tour information and booking details.
- Share this story with your church community and Bible study group. Discuss the significance of archaeological discoveries that confirm the historical reliability of Scripture.
- Support the preservation of Christian and Jewish heritage sites in the Holy Land by donating to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and for all who live in the Holy Land, including Palestinian Christians who face unique pressures from all sides.
- Support persecuted Christians worldwide through The Shepherd's Shield and Open Doors.
