The Tower of David, despite its name, has nothing to do with King David. The citadel at the Jaffa Gate was built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE as a personal fortress protecting his palace. Over the following two millennia, it was expanded by the Romans, rebuilt by the Crusaders, modified by the Mamluks, and restored by the Ottomans. Today it houses one of the most innovative museums in Israel and hosts a nighttime sound and light show that has become one of Jerusalem’s signature experiences.
Herod’s Towers
Herod built three massive towers at this spot, naming them Hippicus (after a friend), Phasael (after his brother), and Mariamne (after his wife, whom he later executed). The towers protected the western approach to Herod’s palace, and Josephus described them as among the most magnificent fortifications in the ancient world. When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE, they left the towers standing as a testament to the scale of the city they had conquered. The base of one tower, traditionally identified as Phasael’s, still stands and forms the massive stone foundation visible at the citadel today.
Crusader and Ottoman Layers
The Crusaders used the citadel as a royal fortress and expanded it with walls, towers, and a moat. The minaret that today gives the citadel its distinctive silhouette was added by the Ottomans in the 17th century, and it has become the unofficial symbol of Jerusalem’s skyline. The dry moat, once used for defense, is now the setting for concerts and cultural events.
The Museum
The Tower of David Museum uses the ancient chambers, courtyards, and rooftops of the citadel as exhibition spaces, taking visitors through 4,000 years of Jerusalem’s history. The museum was completely renovated and reopened with state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits: projections on ancient walls, interactive maps, holographic displays, and immersive presentations that bring the city’s story to life in ways that traditional museums cannot. The museum won the Leading Culture Destinations award for the best new museum in the world.
Night Show
The nighttime sound and light show, projected onto the ancient walls of the citadel, tells the story of Jerusalem through light, animation, and music. The show, which runs multiple times per week, uses the texture and shape of the stone walls as its canvas, creating effects that blend ancient architecture with digital art. The setting, inside a 2,000-year-old fortress with the night sky above, makes it unique among light shows anywhere in the world. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
The View
The rooftop of the citadel offers a 360-degree view of both the Old City and the new city. From here, you can see the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, and the modern skyline of western Jerusalem. It is one of the best orientation points in the city.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Tower of David is an excellent first stop in Jerusalem. Hoshen Tours uses it to give visitors context before entering the Old City, and recommends the night show as one of the best evening experiences in the city.