Walk Where Jesus Walked: 2,000 Year Old Pilgrimage Road Opens in Jerusalem for the First Time
The ancient Pilgrims Road in Jerusalem, dating back to the time of Jesus Christ, has opened to the public for the first time in 2,000 years.
2,000 Year Old Pilgrimage Road From Pool of Siloam to Temple Mount Now Open to Visitors in Jerusalem
For the first time in 2,000 years, visitors can walk the ancient Pilgrims' Road in Jerusalem, a stone paved street dating back to the time of Jesus Christ. The road officially opened to the public on January 20, 2026, when roughly 30 people participated in the inaugural tour.
The stepped street, as archaeologists call it, runs approximately 600 meters (about 1,970 feet) beneath the modern East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. It connects the Pool of Siloam, the site where Jesus healed the blind man in the Gospel of John, to the Temple Mount. The road was originally about eight meters (26 feet) wide and served as the main thoroughfare for pilgrims traveling to worship at the Temple during the Second Temple period.
Amit Re'em, chief archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, called it
"One of the most magnificent archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem in the last decades. For the first time, you can see this direct link between the Siloam Pool and the Temple Mount, and the street was sealed under the modern city for thousands of years."
Archaeologists spent approximately 20 years excavating the pathway. Remarkable discoveries along the route include a Jewish ritual bath (mikveh), remains of ancient shops, and what may have been a ceremonial podium used for public announcements or Scripture readings. The road is believed to have been constructed on the orders of King Herod or Pontius Pilate during the first century AD.
The street was abandoned during the Great Revolt and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which paradoxically helped preserve it by preventing further wear from continued use. Tour guide Ariana Ohayon explained:
"It is possible that the reason why they are so well preserved is that actually the road was not in use for such a long time. In the year 70 CE, Jerusalem was destroyed. The road was covered."
Israeli visitor Shira Greenspan shared her experience:
"It was just the biggest honor to be among the first people to rewalk these steps. You're suddenly connected across thousands of years."
The tour lasts approximately two hours, beginning with an overlook of ancient Jerusalem, proceeding through an underground tunnel reinforced with concrete and metal supports, and concluding at Davidson Archaeological Park south of the Temple Mount. The site is open to families, adults, and organized groups. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and philanthropist Miriam Adelson were among notable early visitors.
Ancient Jerusalem Road Where Jesus and His Disciples Walked Opens After Two Decades of Excavation
The road carries deep significance for both Jewish and Christian visitors. For Christians, walking the path from the Pool of Siloam where Jesus performed a miracle to the Temple Mount where He taught brings the New Testament to life in a tangible, physical way. A City of David official described the route as "deeply significant" for billions of people around the world due to its connections to foundational religious history.
The Crusader's Opinion
This is not just an archaeological discovery. This is a vindication. For centuries, skeptics have questioned whether the places described in Scripture actually existed. Now you can walk the very road that Jesus, Peter, James, and John walked on their way to the Temple.
Every stone they uncovered is a witness. Every step a pilgrim takes on that ancient road is a testimony that the Bible is not myth. It is history. It is truth. The same God who walked those stones walks with us today.
While the world tries to erase Christian heritage, the ground itself cries out. Let every believer who can make this pilgrimage do so. Stand where your Savior stood. Walk where He walked. And remember: they buried this road for 2,000 years, but they could not destroy it. They will never destroy the Church either.
Take Action
- Plan a pilgrimage: Visit the City of David website to book your tour of the Pilgrims' Road and Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem.
- Share this story with your church and Bible study groups as evidence of the historical reliability of Scripture.
- Support archaeological work in the Holy Land through organizations like the Biblical Archaeology Society.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and for continued access to holy sites for Christians and all people of faith.
- Support persecuted Christians worldwide through The Shepherd's Shield and Open Doors.
