the kotel tunnels english tour

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The kotel tunnels.

Israel and You May 16, 2014 Attractions , Featured , Jewish Religious Sites , Museums

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Tour guide level, suitable for kids, interesting, recommended, number one tour in jerusalem.

The Kotel tunnels is absolutely a must. The mixture of stunning archaeological findings, Top level religious importance and an extremely talented tour guides gives it the crown.

Minharot Hakotel

When I recommend a visit to the Kotel Tunnels, I know what I am talking about. My co-editor of Israelandyou was a guide there for several years. I keep returning to visit the tunnels because of the the feeling I have of tracing the footsteps of my priestly Kohanim forefathers crossing the arch to offer sacrifices in Herod’s Temple. You can experience this yourselves. The tour of the Kotel Tunnels ( or Western Wall Tunnels) is one of the most popular tourist sites in Jerusalem. The tunnels are underground and  connect the western wall prayer area to the north-west side of the temple mount, passing along the side of the temple mount and under the present day houses in the Old City. Along its path are remains from the second temple period (Hasmonean and Herodian), as well as structures from later periods. Walking along the tunnels is a tremendous experience like taking a time machine back to the time of the second temple.

The area west of the temple mount connected the temple to the the western side of Jerusalem d uring the second temple period – from the Hasmonean period (2nd C BC) up to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (70AD). There were four gates located on this side – two gates at a lower level (Barcley and Warren) and two gates on top of bridges (Robinson and Wilson) . A paved street passed at the foot of the temple mount, and additional structures and installations were located at that street level.

After two millenniums, new buildings were built on top of  debris accumulated along the western side f ollowing the Roman destruction . However, under these structures, some cavities remained buried deep underground.

British researchers Charles Wilson, in 1864 and Charles Warren, in 1867-1870, uncovered the northern extension of the Western Wall Prayer Plaza. The shafts that Charles Warren dug through Wilson’s Arch can still be seen today.

Immediately after the Six Day War, the Ministry of Religious Affairs began the project of exposing the entire length of the Western Wall. They found enormous courses of distinctively carved stone that were remarkably well preserved. There were also remains of the Herodian road which ran alongside the Temple Mount, ancient cisterns, impressive construction efforts from the Muslim era, and a Hasmonean period aqueduct that had been blocked by Herod’s construction of the Western Wall.

The southern most part of the Kotel is within the Davidson Museum. To the north an open air area is reserved for women. Further north another open air area is reserved for men. A prayer tunnel was excavated uner Wilson’s Arch north of the Kotel and is open to the public, men and women alike, and no entrance fee is required. You can see Wilson’s Arch in the photo below.

The tourist site was fully opened in 1996, with 500m long tunnel along the north-western wall. The route of the tunnel tour starts from the entrance on the north side of the  western wall prayer area, and ends at Station No. 1 of the Via Dolorosa. Since there is a limit in the number of visitors that can join a tour, an appointment should be made well in advance.

 http://youtu.be/FyRoKoJW-9s

(a)  Secret passage

During the Roman period, one of the western entrances to the temple mount was over a bridge which is now called the Wilson arch, which is located on the north side of the Western Wall prayer area. It is described by Josephus on several occasions: the description of the attack by Pompey in 63BC (Wars 1 7 2): “Aristobulus’s party was worsted, and retired into the temple, and cut off the communication between the temple and the city, by breaking down the bridge that joined them together”. The bridge was destroyed during Titus’s attack in 70AD (Wars 6, 6 2): “…a bridge that connected the upper city to the temple”. It was later repaired by the Romans in the 2nd or 3rd C after may have established a Roman temple Jupiter on the temple mount.    The bridge was repaired in the 7th C by the Arab rulers, who connected the west side of the city to the temple mount for easier access to their new Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques. The present day Chain street (Silsila) actually passes on its upper side. The cavity below the street was termed “the secret passage” in the middle ages. It stretches along 70m – from the Hagai (Al-Wad) street on the west to the temple mount on the east. This “secret passage” serves today as the entrance to the underground tour.

(b) Second Temple period stairs

  The area around the “secret passage” is still undergoing excavations. The archaeologists revealed second temple period stairs and other ancient findings.

(c) Large Hall and Model

North to the Wilson arch and bridge is a large underground cavity called the “large hall”. Its high ceiling allows a great view of the hidden western wall. A model of the second temple is located on the west side of the hall, in front of a set of benches. This area is temporarily closed.  The tour guide describes the story of the temple mount with the assistance of the model, which uses the electrical controlled mechanism to demonstrate the phases of its construction by Herod.

(d) Western Wall – section

On the eastern side of the great hall are remains of the lower side of the Herodian Western wall. The base stones are incredibly huge – the largest one – seen below – is 14m wide and 4m high, and weighs 600Tons!

There is no cement holding the stones together; only their weight and the perfect match between the stones made them hold firmly together. Each layer of rock recedes several centimeters to help withstand the enormous pressure of the temple mount over two millenniums. The rectangular holes in the stone were added in the middle ages. Their purpose was to hold the plaster which was applied onto the walls, when this section was transformed into a water reservoir.

(e) Warren’s gate (facing the Holy of Holies)

This underground gate, unfortunately now sealed, is located 40m north of the Wilson arch. Warren’s Gate is now underground, but it was at ground level when built by Herod the Great. You can see the wall sealing the gate in the photo. The entrance here is located at the bottom of the temple mount ancient walls, at a depth which was the street level during the second temple period.    The opening of this gate  faces the Holy of Holies structure and the foundation stone, and therefore is considered  the holiest gate. It was discovered in 1867 by Charles Warren.

 (f) Opposite the Foundation stone

The foundation stone (Hebrew: Even Ha-Shtiya,  from the word “Tashtit”), also known as “The Rock” (Hebrew: Ha-Sela), was the heart of the Holy of Holies. According to Jewish tradition, the rock marks the center point of God’s dwelling and the creation of the world and the site of Isaac’s Sacrifice.  Some traditions and archaeologists locate it in the center of the Dome of the Rock, which is located beyond the wall, although there are other suggested locations around the temple mount.  The Jewish women come to pray here in the niche of the “opposite foundation stone”, or in other locations along the wall.

(g) Medieval Cistern

Along the western wall is a medieval period cistern.

(h) Western Wall tunnel

During the excavations and preparation of the western wall tunnel tour (1980s and 1990s), a modern tunnel was constructed along the base of the wall (several dozens of meters long) at the Roman street level. It supports the old city structures above it, which were built above the Roman street level during the Medieval periods.  A large number of  large stones were found laying around the Roman paved street. They were thrown from the temple above into the street by the Roman soldiers, during the leveling of Jerusalem, after it was captured and burnt. This evidence of destruction was also found in the South-West Wall excavations.

(i) Dressed Bedrock Begins –  Kotel Tunnels

On the north side of the temple mount, the builders of the temple mount had to cut away the bedrock. The original topography of the Moriah mountain on the north-west corner was higher than the temple mount, and so the engineers had to remove some of the rock in order to expand the temple mount during the Herodian period expansion. The side of the exposed rock was chiseled and dressed to look like the pillars on the south side.

(j) Hasmonean Cistern

The western section of a Hasmonean period cistern was located at this section.

 (k) Ancient Guardrail

A large stone was found that served as a guardrail on the edge of the ancient street. It protected the people from falling into the open trench, which was used to collect rain water from the street.

(l) Second Temple period street

The Roman street  stretched along the western wall, from the north to the south.  A section of a second temple period (Herodian) paved street was found in this section.   Only a small section of the street was uncovered.A pair of columns, part of the colonnaded street, are seen on the edge of the street. As in the Cardo Maximus street, shops were located along the street along the side of the wall.

The section near the Herodian street was part of a stone quarry, which prepared stones for the western wall.

  (n) Hasmonean Water Tunnel

The tunnel traverses the path of a Hasmonean period aqueduct. It supplied water from the north side of the city, filling up the cisterns under the Hasmonean citadel, Antonia, which was located on the north side of the temple mount. The water channel was cut off during the Herodian period when the temple mount was enlarged to the north.

(o) Ancient Pool – Kotel Tunnels

At the northern edge of the tour is an ancient water reservoir called the Struthion Pool. The meaning of the Latin word is “sparrow”. This large reservoir collects the winter rain water from the rooftops in order to supply water during the dry summer season. Initially it was an open pool, built by the Hasmoneans, and mentioned by Josephus in his accords of the siege of Jerusalem (Wars 5 11 4 ): “For there were now four great banks raised, one of which was at the tower Antonia; this was raised by the fifth legion, over against the middle of that pool which was called Struthius”.    The pool was later covered by the Romans in the 2nd C.The Struthion pool is located at the basement of the Notre Dame De Sion (Ecce Homo) monastery. The initial plan of the tunnel tour was to exit through the monastery, but this was not accepted by the order. Alternatively, the exit of the tour was diverted to a modern opening through the pool, located near the first station of Via Dolorosa.

During a fascinating tour of the Western Wall Tunnels – Hidden layers of the Wall are revealed underground. They tell the story of ancient Jerusalem and of generations of longing for it.

Did you meet ancestors as you traced the Western Wall of the Holy Temple?

The tour takes approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Opening hours:

Sunday – Thursday: 7am – evening (depending on reservations). Fridays and on the eve of festivals: 7am – 12pm

The site is closed on Shabbat and festivals, and on the eve of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana, and on Tisha B’av. On Chol Ha’moed the site is open as usual (with a reservation and payment).

The hotline  (02-6271333) is operational between 8:30 – 17:00.

Visitation of the site is only through guided tours which must be ordered in advance. It is recommended that you book two months in advance. To receive your ticket – bring the credit card with which you made your order.

The Generations Center is accessible for all kinds of handicaps. Please speak with our representative about this so that we will be able to give you the best possible service and assistance.

Tours are given in English and in Hebrew. During the month of August tours are given in French as well. For reservations in French call 02-6271333 group tour reservations (line no. 1).

Fees for individuals and for groups using a guide from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation:

• Adult: 30 shekels
• Student / Soldier / Security officer: 15 shekels
• Child (Age: 5-18) / Senior citizen / Handicapped: 15 shekels

Fees for groups with their own guide:

• Adult: 25 shekels
• Student / Soldier / Security officer: 10 shekels
• Child (Age: 5-18) / Senior citizen / Handicapped: 10 shekels

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The Western Wall Tunnels

The Western Wall (the Kotel in Hebrew) is impressive, but its greatness is truly discovered when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels run along approximately 488 meters of the Western Wall, giving visitors a taste for the challenge that stood before Herod the Great during this biggest of all his immense building projects—the expansion of the Temple Mount. One such example is the famous western stone which is 14 meters long and weighs almost 570 tons. Advanced booking only the duration of the tour is about an hour and a quarter. The tours take place in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Russian and French at various times.

The Western Wall (the Kotel in Hebrew) is impressive, but its greatness is truly discovered when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels run along approximately 488 meters of the Western Wall, giving visitors a taste for the challenge that stood before Herod the Great during this biggest of all his immense building projects—the expansion of the Temple Mount. One such example is the famous western stone which is 14 meters long and weighs almost 570 tons. These complex underground tunnels create a direct link between the history of the Hasmonean period and modern times. The tunnels are supported by many arches and contain stairways that connected the ancient city with the Temple Mount, over the Tyropoeon Valley that ran along the western side of the Temple Mount, separating the two. Today these passageways support streets and homes in the Muslim Quarter. The tunnels were first discovered during digs done by British archaeologists in the 19th century, but the real digging was done after the Six Day War, after 1967, by the Israeli Ministry of Religions. One of the most special places to visit inside the tunnels is the part of the Western Wall traditionally considered closest to where the Holy of Holies used to be on the Temple Mount. The Holy of Holies, where the Foundation Stone and the Dome of the Rock are located, is the holiest place for Jews. In this location in the tunnels, there is a small synagogue where Jews come to pray.

LOCATION The entrance into the tunnels is on the northern side of the Western Wall plaza, a few meters away from the Western Wall. Upon entering, visitors walk through a series of rooms moving eastward until they hit the Western Wall. From that point on the tunnels continue straight northward directly along the Western Wall until the west-northern most point. During their walk in the tunnels, visitors will pass by Second Temple era homes, ancient cisterns, constructions from the Muslim period, an aqueduct from the Hasmonean period and more.

WESTERN WALL TUNNEL TOURS In order to visit the Western Wall Tunnels you must join a guided tour which needs to be ordered in advance. These guided tours into the depths of the earth tell the fascinating story of ancient Jerusalem and how it continues to be meticulously discovered underground, dug out slowly and carefully. See discoveries which until recently were hidden from residents and visitors of today’s Old City. The tour lasts around 75 minutes.

Free entrance or 28,57% discount. Advanced booking only.

The Western Wall The Old City Jerusalem

1599515888 [email protected] www.thekotel.org

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The Western Wall Tunnels

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About this place

Running underneath the Western Wall (‘Kotel’ in Hebrew), the Western Wall Tunnels are a complex network of underground passageways stretching for 488 meters. They run from the traditional open-air prayer site of the area (which only measures 70 meters) all the way to its northern end. Herodian Construction

The history of the tunnels dates back to 19 BCE when King Herod the Great decided to expand the Temple Mount .  After flattening a hillside plateau, he enclosed it with four stone walls - these are what remain, today, of the Western Wall. When it was built, however, it was imperative that it maintain its weight - which meant a substantial amount of it needed to be erected underground. The tunnels were first discovered in the 1860s by British archaeologists Warren and Wilson.  Excavations revealed that they were supported by a number of arches as well as containing stairways that linked the Temple Mount with the Old City of Jerusalem.  The excavations resumed again after the Six-Day War and continue today, with new artifacts, coins, and pottery being discovered on a regular basis. The Western Stone

Walking through the tunnels, it is possible to see ancient cisterns, an aqueduct from Hasmonean times, water pits, a small quarry, and Second Temple-era homes.  Many of the pillars are enormous - the stonemasons of that time were expert craftsmen and could chisel huge blocks. The largest of these is the Western Stone, which is a staggering 13 meters long and weighs a staggering 520 metric tonnes. The ‘Hidden Passageway’ runs from east to west and is believed to have been the route King David used to travel from the Jaffa Gate to the Temple Mount, to pray. Close by is the ‘Great Bridge’ where the Priests of Jerusalem (‘Kohanim’) walked.  Before ascending to the Temple Mount to pray, they would immerse themselves in one of the many ritual baths in the vicinity, in order to purify themselves before.  Today, the glass floor of this area lets visitors look through and see stairs running down to one of these baths. Warren’s Gate

Not far from there is for ‘Warren’s Gate’ which was once a small and secret entrance to a building where Jews were allowed to pray. Three years ago, in 2017, a small synagogue with low-arched ceilings was opened in the same spot. According to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, it is open to anyone who wishes to “study and connect.” Finally, there is the Hasmonean Water Channel - dating back 2,000 years - which delivered water to Jerusalem from Hebron . This passes through the Struthion Pool , a large cistern located underneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion .

Visits to the Western Wall Tunnel can only be made as part of a guided tour. 

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מנהרות הכותל סיור עתיקות

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• Description

There are few things that anyone can say is mandatory when going to Israel. Going to the Western Wall is one. And the Western Wall Tunnel Tour is another. They actually almost go hand in hand. This is because when you go down into the tunnels you realize that the Western Wall that you see is only a small part of the ancient Temple complex that still remains from the time of the destruction in the year 70 CE. The rest of the Wall is found underground in the tunnels.

When you walk the tunnel you will be on what was streel level 2,000 years ago but is now underground. Don’t be surprised if you pass people praying as you go along your tour. Many people come underground to pray as the farther along the tunnels you walk the closer you get to what was once the “Holy of Holies”. Aside from the spiritual significance of the site, you will also get to see ancient history up close. There are rooms that were once used as cisterns and tiles from the Second Temple period used as paving stones. If you are lucky enough to be here with a small group at a quiet time, you may also get to see ritual baths and rooms dating back to the First Temple period,

This is a very popular tour, for good reason. So you need to book at least two weeks in advance.

• Stroller friendly
• Reservation Recommended

Tours are given in English and in Hebrew. During the month of August tours are given in French as well.

Fees for individuals and for groups using a guide from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation: Adult: 30 shekel Child (Age: 5-18) / Senior citizen / Handicapped: 15 shekel

Fees for groups with their own guide: Adult: 25 shekel Child (Age: 5-18) / Senior citizen / Handicapped: 10 shekel There is a discount when ordering a combination ticket for the Tunnels and the Chain of Generations Center.

סיור במנהרות הכותל גם הוא ביקור חובה בירושלים. במנהרות ניתן לבקר אך ורק במסגרת סיורים מודרכים, בתשלום ובהזמנה מראש. כנסייר במנהרות נבין שהכותל שאנו רואים בחוץ, הוא חלק קטן מאד מהכותל המערבי. ששרד מחורבן הבית וחלקים גדולים ממנו [שהם בעצם מתחת לפני הקרקע] אנו נראה במנהרות. בסיור נראה גם את האבן הגדולה ביותר של הכותל במשקל של כ - 500 טון. מדהים כיצד הצליחו להעמיד אבן גדולה שכזו באותם ימים. בהמשך נגיע אל מול מקום "קודש הקודשים", נצעד במנהרות, נחלוף על פני חדרים ששימשו בעבר בורות מים, נראה מרצפות רחוב מימי בית שני. ואן יתמזל מזלכם ואתם בקבוצה קטנה עם מדריך נמרץ, תראו גם מערכת מקוואות וחדרים מימי בית המקדש הראשון!!

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Sunday – Thursday: 7am – evening (depending on reservations). Fridays and on the eve of festivals: 7am – 12pm The site is closed on Shabbat and festivals, and on the eve of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana, and on Tisha B'av. On Chol Ha'moed the site is open as usual (with a reservation and payment).

An hour and a half

From age 7 and older

• Season All year

Enter from the Western Wall Plaza

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The Western Wall Tunnels

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Kotel Tunnels Tour

Location : Tour begins at the Dung Gate  OR at the entrance to the tunnels.  Call for details.

Description : Make your way through the Kotel Tunnels and passageways and witness the entire length of the Western Wall . View the  Southern Wall Excavations  and walk on an actual street from Temple times. Behold the most spectacular remains of the 2 nd   Beit Ha’Mikdash .

Kotel Tunnels also offered with Jewish Quarter tour or South Wall Excavations tour on Sundays (during peak seasons).

Tour Day: Fridays all year round. Also on Sundays in peak seasons .

Fee:  5-7 people: $59 p/p + entrance fee.    8 people and up: $59 p/p including entrance fee .

Requirements: Bring hat and plenty of water

Online booking is available below for selected dates, or you can call the office in Israel on 718-701-3690 or 02-587-1718 to book all dates (within 15 hours of tour: 0522-40-90-30) .

Make your way through the tunnels and passageways and witness the entire length of the Western Wall. View the Southern Wall Excavations.

Yemin Moshe or Nachlaot Tour

In depth walking tour of Jerusalem’s first neighborhoods built outside the Old City walls over 130 years ago.

Old City Jewish Quarter Tour

Stroll through the cobblestone streets and alleyway lanes of the lively Jewish Quarter of today. See remains of homes, mikvaot, and workshops from the 2nd Temple era. Walk on the Cardo.

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Kotel Tunnel Tour 360 with Fun In Jerusalem

Sunday Jul 26, 2020 | 7:00 pm

Fun In Jerusalem and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation invite you to a special pre -Tisha B’Av virtual 360 degree tour of the Kotel Tunnels. We will have a special guide who will lead us through the tunnels in high resolution.

This tour will be in English and will be a special tour for families with school age kids and teens.

Take the tour from the comfort of your own home – anywhere in the world.

You will be able to ask questions as the guide walks you around the historic site.

Tour will take place at…

• 7:00pm in Israel
• 12:00pm EST

Reservations - Virtual Kotel Tunnel Tour - Fun In Jerusalem

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Kotel Tunnel Tours

Go underground as you explore the Kotel Tunnels with a trained guide. Learn about the history of this ancient space and it’s connection to religious life in Jerusalem. The Western Wall of the Temple Mount is one of the most magnificent and significant remnants in Jerusalem from the days of the Second Temple, destroyed approximately […]

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The great bridge route tour of the kotel tunnels.

By Pearl Markovitz

• | February 9, 2023

As of one year ago, a new tour has become available through the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which has been touring the Western Wall tunnels since the late 1990s. Joining The Journey to Jerusalem, A Look Into the Past, The Chain of Generations Center and The Great Stone Route is The Great Bridge Route tour.” The tour takes its name from the bridge that connected Jerusalem’s Upper City with the Temple Mount. It was designed approximately 2,000 years ago to traverse a valley, thus eliminating a climb up and down again. The bridge also included an aqueduct that brought water to the Temple area.

Our tour, led by an American olah, began at the same entrance as the classic tunnel tour, but shortly veered off to the left and descended a level deeper. Before descending further, we were shown a PowerPoint presentation of the bridge in relation to the Kotel and a square structure that would be significant later on in the tour.

At the bottom of the descent, we saw the massive stones and arches that supported the bridge. But we also saw a layer of smaller stones held together by what was referred to as “Roman cement.” These secure smaller stones, almost likened to river rocks, held the base of the bridge, and are still holding strong thousands of years later.

We were then led into the aforementioned big, square space which has become known as a “very exclusive building,” according to archeologists. It was constructed of decorative columns as well as an elaborate water system. The area also includes three mikvaot. The supposition is that Herod built this room as an exclusive supper club for his VIP friends, who would relax and dine there after which they would immerse in the mikvaot and proceed to the Temple.

As we proceeded, we entered an area directly under Wilson’s Arch or the point at which the bridge entered the Temple Mount. Facing us was a wall that has been discovered only within the last 10 years, and obviously so. Whereas the Kotel stones are markedly worn and weathered, these stones were smooth and shiny as they had been protected from the weather and looked as they had 2,000 years ago. According to our guide, “They are stunning.”

We then turned around from this new wall and saw what looked like an amphitheater, but not complete. It resembled a typical Roman amphitheater; the theory is that before its completion, the Bar Kochba Revolt had begun, which distracted the Romans who were never able to complete it.

At one point in the tour, we gathered within a large excavation and took seats on a low wall where we were shown a 3D model of the tunnels we had been touring. The technology raised and lowered the levels of the excavations to show us the progress being made with each new discovery. Seeing state-of-the-art technology used to uncover the mysteries of the ancient world was astonishing.

Our final stop, and my favorite, was a stunning sanctuary, whose walls are ancient stones and yet whose pews are made of modern mahogany wood in elegant design, and with a shiny floor of alabaster. The Aron Kodesh, a pomegranate-shaped golden sphere elaborately engraved with the words of “Shir haShirim” is a sight to behold. Under construction for 12 years, the shul, which includes a roomy women’s section, is opened to the public at set times for celebrations and milestone occasions. Imagine being able to celebrate a family simcha in the 21st century within the ancient walls of our Holy Beit Hamikdash! What an honor and a zechut!

For information and reservations for the Western Wall Tunnel Tours call 972-2-627-1333 or visit www.thekotel.org or [email protected]

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Kotel Tunnels Tour & South Wall Excavations

• Duration: 3 Hours (approx.)
• Product code: Kotel Tunnels

PLEASE NOTE - Sunday tours during August may include a tour of the Jewish Quarter instead of the Southern Wall Excavations.

What you will see on our tour:

Kotel Tunnels

Everyone has heard of the Kotel or Western Wall. But what you may not know is that the Kotel that we see today is only a small fraction of the Kotel which is exposed. The Kotel Tunnels take you on a walk underneath the Old City of Jerusalem along the rest of the Kotel which cannot be seen from above ground. This includes the part of the Kotel which is directly opposite the Holy of Holies from the Temple! Many participants tell us that this was the highlight of their trip to Israel!

Southern Wall Excavations

With our tour you also get a tour of the Southern Wall excavations (Davidson Center). Here you will be able to walk on the original street from the time that the Holy Temple stood. You will see the fallen stones from the destruction of Jerusalem.

PLEASE NOTE-:

The administration of the Western Wall Tunnels requires all guests to dress modestly. No bare shoulders, knees must be covered and a modest neckline.

Cancellations up to 4 business days prior to the tour will be refunded 75%. No refunds will be issued within 48 hours prior to the tour.

The price of the tour doesn't include a tip for the tour guide.

What to bring:

*1 bottle of water per person

*Sun hat & sunblock

*Sturdy walking shoes

The length of the tour is between three and three and half hours depending on the size of the group.

Meeting location varies according to the season, please contact Artzeinu to confirm meeting place. If you are unable to find your tour please call 0522 40 90 30.

From 24 hours before the tour you should call the office in Israel  on 02-587-1718 to book, or if  it is less than 14 hours before the tour:  0522-40-90-30.

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Jerusalem, Israel

Kotel Tunnel and Old City Tour: Jerusalem

by Sarah Einhorn | Sep 23, 2017 | 0 comments

For years Pesach Levy was the brand name for tours of the Kotel Tunnel and the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. A couple of years ago, I joined a tour run by him and his son Yitzchak. By now Pesach Levy has retired, but his son Yitzchak runs the Kotel Tunnel and Old City Tour with his father’s special touch injected.

It is fascinating to learn how little of the Kotel wall we actually see. Most of it is underground. The Shaar Shechem and houses nearby are built on top of the wall. The arches in the tunnel below the Kotel are very interesting. The largest stone, about 25 feet long, can be seen there, too.

The tour continues to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. There are a few old synagogues with interesting history. Rabbi Levy expounds on the stories behind each of the Synagogues. Each one is unique with its own distinctive story. Some of the Synagogues visited are the The Ohr Hachaim Synagogue, The Nisan Bak Synagogue, The Ari Synagogue, The Tzemach Tzedeck Synagogue, The Rambam Synagogue, The Churva Synagogue.

The Kotel Tunnel Tour and Old City Tour can help you understand the history of the Jewish people on a whole new level.

Disclaimer: Find out the current security information before travelling anywhere in Israel.

Posted: September 23, 2017

Information, prices and hours posted here are current as of the posted or updated date. It is advisable to call ahead or check online to confirm hours and prices.  

The tour generally meets outside the Kotel.

Phone Number:

Yitzchak Levi

052-766-0647

Call for tour times

$50 plus 20 NIS for the Kotel Tunel enterance.

Tour Length:  2 ½-3 hours

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