Photo: The work is under the direction of the Clore Israel Foundation, with support from the City of Jerusalem, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Cultural Heritage and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism.
Israel is taking the opportunity with no tourists in town to do restoration work on a number of tourist hotspots.
One of the largest projects is the restoration of Jerusalem’s Tower of David. A whopping $40 million has been budgeted for the renovation and expansion of the museum housed in the historical structure, and the Israel Antiquities Authority is overseeing excavations being carried out as part of the process.
The renovation and conservation project aims to preserve and beautify the citadel and the archaeological park. At the same time, the exhibition area will be doubled to 20,000 square meters, with a new visitor center featuring barrier-free access, a café and an additional toilet facility. There will be seven new galleries. The additional exhibition rooms are accessed by two elevators. The old citadel will then be accessible to everyone.
The history of Jerusalem is brought to life in a multi-sensory manner through many new finds. Significant Roman-Byzantine buildings have already been discovered below the Jaffa Gate square, the primary entrance to the Old City. A promenade lined with archaeological finds will guide visitors from the new museum entrance to the educational complex and also connect to the parking garage below the adjacent Mamilla shopping center.
Ricky Rachman
This is what the entrance to the visitor center looks like at the moment.
The renovation is to take two years, but during this time the museum is to remain open, at least to a limited extent. There will be temporary exhibitions as well as tours of the history, churches and archaeology of Jerusalem, along with cultural events.
Kimmel Eshkolot
According to the architects, this is what the entrance will look like two years from now.
The Tower of David Museum tells the whole history of Jerusalem, and the tower is considered a universal symbol of the city. Last year over 500,000 people visited the museum, accounting for 80 percent of the museum’s budget. Due to the coronavirus closures, the museum’s income was completely lost. Eighty-five percent of the staff had to take unpaid leave. Even so, a small team is still creating live and virtual programs from the heart of Jerusalem for Israelis and visitors from all over the world. The museum has petitioned the Israeli government and the Ministry of Culture for support and continues to seek funding to keep this Jerusalem landmark running.
You Might Also Like
Effective Jewish Group Resumes Campaign to Expand Jerusalem
Lure of Mythical Buried Treasure Leads to Arrests in Southern Israel
O Jerusalem, Will You Rise Again?
Iran, Biden and the Unrest in Jerusalem and Gaza
Have You Heard of Yom Yerushalayim?
Ancient YHWH Amulet Discovered in Galilee
Jerusalem Offers Itself as “City of Peace” Amidst Russia-Ukraine War
Israel’s Eternal Connection to Jerusalem, the Holy City of King David
Why No Gentile Tears on Tisha B’Av?
Secret Plans Revealed: The Jordanian Prince & the Temple Mount
Israel Investing Billions in Jerusalem’s Arab Neighborhoods
Trump: There are No Palestinians in Jerusalem
Straddling ‘The Place of His Throne’
And They All Came Tumbling Down
Rare Palace Remains From Time of Biblical Kings Found in Jerusalem
‘Whoever Touches Archaeological Treasures Touches Biblical History’
1,200-Year-Old Hanukkah Gelt Found in Israel
Palestinian ‘Governor’ of Jerusalem Arrested, Again
A High-Tech Upgrade for the Ancient Tower of David
The Egg that Wouldn’t Crack
Namaste Jerusalem
Israeli Child Finds Rare Ancient Silver Coin From Jerusalem Temple
The Mystery of Jerusalem’s Ancient Cairns
Were the Canaanites Caucasian?
Science Says the Bible Got It Right
“You’ll go down in history as someone who did right by Israel”
The Mysterious Cistern
Jerusalem Day: Celebrating the Unification of a Dream
Liberating Our Jerusalem
Beer Fit for a Pharaoh: 5,000-Year-Old Beer Brewed in Israel
Jerusalem Below
A New Light Shines on Jerusalem
New Insights Into Mount Ebal Curse Tablet With Oldest Hebrew Text
The Double Sorrow on the Via Dolorosa
A Closer Look at Jerusalem Today
Jerusalem Must Be Raised Above Politics
Wander Among the Ancients at an Israeli World Heritage Site
Athens or Jerusalem? Establishing the Spiritual Heritage of Jesus’ Followers
Another Country to Move Embassy to Jerusalem
Mounting Tensions
My Jerusalem Stone
Israel Vlog: Praying at the Western Wall
Do the Jews Have Sovereignty in Jerusalem?
Have the Jews Started Building the Third Temple?
We Must Always Remember the Extraordinary Gift of Israel
Israel Faces an Explosive Week
Capitalism and Jesus
From the Army of Judah to the IDF
In the Footsteps of the Philistines
What Sparked the Trouble in Jerusalem?
Israeli DM Vows to Protect Biblical Archaeology Against Palestinians
Sheikh Jarrah: What’s All the Hubbub?
Church Helps Palestinian Authority Further Entrench in Jerusalem
“As Christians, we had to make this move”
Palestinian Agents Caught Operating in Jerusalem
It’s Time to Take Back Jerusalem for God’s Sake
The Unknown “Restorer of the Walls” of Jerusalem
“Scared to Death!” Israeli Bus Drivers Say Something’s Gotta Change
Have Archeologists Found the Biblical City of Ziklag?
Pre-Hanukkah Find – Fourth Graders Discover 2,000-Year-Old Candle
Ancient Egyptian Coffin Lids Undergo CT Scan in Jerusalem
Fortress From the Time of David
Ukrainian Refugee Wins Jerusalem Marathon
Australia Revokes Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
My 75-Year Story Is the Story of Israel
Sodom: When Science and Bible Collide
Archaeologists baffled by Jerusalem discovery dating back to biblical kings
Hamas and Its Empty Threats
New Water System for Jerusalem
The Wine Jug That Would Not Quit
Ancient Relics Found During Jerusalem Traffic Stop
Your Guide to the Jerusalem’s New Pilgrims’ Path
Court Awards Jerusalem Church Properties to Jewish Organization
Time to Build Third Temple, Says Israeli Lawmaker
Found: Missing Section of First Temple-Period Jerusalem City Wall
The 2,000-Year Jewish Love Affair With Jerusalem
Minimalist vs Maximalist Biblical Archaeology
Holy Smokes! Ancient Israelites Used Pot in Temple Worship!
Digging Into the Origins of Jerusalem
Stones With a Human Heart
The Bible Comes to Life in Jerusalem!
Uniting Yerushalayim – Jerusalem of Gold and Silicon?!
2,000-Year-Old Financial Record Unearthed on Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road
Illegal construction on biblical site prompts rare Israeli action
Bible Accounts Proved by New Israeli Magnetic “Earth Clock”
Happy Jerusalem Day, the Bomb Shelters Are Open!
Kingdom of Judah Expanded Earlier Than Thought, New Study Finds
Gallery: Snow in Jerusalem
A Wise Voice From History
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Court Rules Jerusalem Can Have Its Cable Car
Putin Wants Ownership of Jerusalem Churches
Treasure Discovered Off the Coast of Caesarea from Two Ancient Shipwrecks
Private Toilet From the First Temple Period Found
Ever Wonder How Long is a Biblical ‘Tefach’? Wonder No More!
Miraculous Save – Archaeologist Attacked by Occult Forces and Rescued by Unexpected Messiah
My Encounters With Eccentric Neighbors in Jerusalem
Poll: Arab Residents of Jerusalem Don’t Want a Palestinian State
Arson Now Suspected as Cause of Massive Jerusalem Wildfire
Adrian Was Here! Famed Christian Knight Left Graffiti at King David’s Tomb
425 Pure Gold Coins Found
Bible’s Reliability Further Affirmed as King Hezekiah Inscription Deciphered
Exclusive: “Third World War Could Erupt From Temple Mount,” Warns Jerusalem Expert
More New Mysteries Beneath the Temple
Western Wall Cable Car Approved
Tachles With Aviel – Jerusalem Needs a Bit of Rest
A Tour of an Ancient Jerusalem Neighborhood
Bennett, Lapid Say ‘NO’ to American Consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem
We’ve Been Here Before, and Will Be Again
Muslims Riot for Third Night in Jerusalem, 4 Arrested
Not Just Another Terror Attack
Without Unity, No Jerusalem
Move to Jerusalem, or Else!
Surprise! Jordanian Ammunition Found Near the Western Wall
Darius the Great Inscription Found in Israel
Jerusalem archaeologists uncover large Second Temple-era aqueduct
A Culinary Journey Through Jerusalem’s Mahaneh Yehuda Market
A Stroll Through Armageddon – the History and Place of Megiddo
Israeli Lawmaker Tries to Block Biden Admin From Opening New Jerusalem Consulate
Mysterious Handprint, Moat Discovered by Jerusalem’s Old City Walls
Russia to Open “Small Embassy” in Jerusalem
“They are trying to start the War of Gog and Magog”
The Temple Mount, Ben-Gvir and World War III
Jerusalem: 2 Israelis Stabbed; Terrorist Shot
Palestinians Help Israel Fight Unprecedented Jerusalem Wildfire
Palestinians Complain That Archaeology is ‘Judaizing’ Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s Pool of Siloam to be excavated, opened to the public
Jerusalem Wrestles With Growing LGBT Community
“O Jerusalem”
New Archeological Evidence on the Fall of the Jerusalem’s Temple in 70AD
Ancient Two-Shekel Weight Found in Jerusalem
Tachles With Aviel – ‘Prisoners of a Wrong Idea’
Uncovered: Royal Purple Cloth From King David’s Time
Terror in Jerusalem – 3 dead in bus stop shooting
New Findings Suggest Israel Can Build Third Temple, Now
Who Are You, Ishmael? Extremely Rare First Temple-Era Document Returns to Israel
Jerusalem and the War Between Two Kingdoms
“Jerusalem is Ours!” What’s Behind Turkey’s Astonishing Claim
Shimon the Just or Saladin’s Healer Sheikh Jarrah?
What’s Up With Jerusalem’s Golden Gate?
Archaeological Surprise
Christian-Israel Relations in Danger? Oh, Please…
2,000-Year-Old Roman Paycheck Found at Masada
Biden Removed Israeli Flag During East Jerusalem Visit
Canaanite Temple Invaded by Biblical Joshua Unearthed
PA Called for Religious War Against Jerusalem Day Flag March
Jerusalem’s Windmill
Jews Return to the Temple Mount
This City is Older Than Originally Thought
Jerusalem Heats Up Ahead of Ramadan
I Became a Jew in Jerusalem and Hebron
Why Germany and France Boycotted 4th of July Party in Jerusalem
IN PHOTOS: 56 Years Ago Today, the Six-Day War Broke Out
IDF Soldier Finds Rare 1,800-Year-Old Coin While on Maneuver
Gallery: Jerusalem as a Ghost Town
The City of God
Sensational Archeological Discovery at the Sea of Galilee
Dramatic Hanukkah Discovery
Report: Israel Rebuffs Biden Admin Over Jerusalem Riots
Biblical Site Under Threat Amid Ongoing Palestinian Construction
Temple Mount History Comes Back to Speak Again
The Real Story Behind Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah Neighborhood
4,000-Year-Old Israelite Settlement Discovered in Binyamin
Jerusalem Day Flag March Will Test Gaza Ceasefire
Arabs Vandalize Archaeological Site of Samaria’s Ancient Capital
Money Talks: The Story of the Gates of Jerusalem as Told on Banknotes
Israel to Protect Archaeological Sites in Judea and Samaria
Ah, Jerusalem!
Israel Insists: We Are Sovereign in Jerusalem!
Why Would a Dirty Tax Man Follow Jesus?
Sodom and Gomorrah
Court Orders Church to Honor Sale of Jerusalem Properties to Israeli ‘Settlers’
Zedekiah Cave Reopens to Visitors
Evidence of Second Temple’s destruction unearthed in Jerusalem
Mountain of God & River of Life
Jerusalem Mini-Fortress is Being Restored
Magnificent 2,000-Year-Old Basilica Revealed in Ashkelon
Jews, Arabs Battle on the Streets of Jerusalem
What Other Secrets Are Hidden in the Qumran Caves?
Woman Walking on Israeli Beach Finds 3,000 Year-Old Figurine
Jerusalem Day’s Flag March Held Without a Hitch Despite Threats and Warnings
ANALYSIS: Why Biden is Wrong on Jerusalem Consulate Move
9,000-Year-Old City Found Near Jerusalem
The Most Important Archaeological Discoveries of the Past Jewish Year
Biden Helps Create Fake Palestinian History
“The Temple Mount Must Be a Top Priority for Israel”
Dramatic Footage Shows Muslims Try to Lynch Jews in Jerusalem
Israel Shelves Plan for Park on Mount of Olives After Christians Protest
Turkish Aid Agency Returns to Jerusalem to Undermine Israeli Sovereignty
Jerusalem or Kabul? Jihadists Squabble Over Islam’s ‘Third Holiest Site’
Tachles with Aviel – The most original types live in Jerusalem
Israel Furious After UN Says ‘Invalid’ to Call Jerusalem Its Capital
Israel to Biden: Delay Opening Jerusalem Consulate for Palestinians
Israel’s Problematic Ancient Alliances
‘Everyone Was Very Excited’: Rare Ancient Gold Bead Uncovered in Jerusalem
Israel to Turn Biblical Capital Into Archaeological Park
Israeli School Kids Find Rare 1,600-Year-Old Gold Coin
New Discovery in Israel: Biggest Ancient Winemaking Operation
The Environment Has Been Harmed Since Biblical Times
Jerusalem Aflame: Police Arrest 23 Arab Rioters as Violence Mounts
It’s Like Indiana Jones! – Israeli Archaeologists Excited Over New Discovery
A Second Temple Outside Jerusalem?
Between Heaven and Earth: Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Rare Treasures
Top Places to Eat in Jerusalem City Center
Strike Against Antiquities Thieves
Israeli NGO seeks prosecution of former Jerusalem mufti
ANALYSIS: Is the Current Chaos in Israel Related to Iran?
Kosovo Forges Ties With Israel, Recognizes Jerusalem as Capital
New Discoveries Provide Clues to Jewish Life in Galilee After Christ
Saudi Journalist Visits Israel, Implies Riyadh Wants Role in Jerusalem Holy Sites
3,000-Year-Old Scarab Found in Israel During School Field Trip
Arabs Look to Create Earthquake in Jerusalem City Hall
Macron Kicks Israelis Out of French Church
IN PHOTOS: Christians and Jews Celebrate Jerusalem Together
Why Is Russia Really Opening a Consulate in Jerusalem?
New Technology Connects Ancient Stele With King David—But Not Everyone Agrees
VIDEO: This is Jerusalem
A Nazi Comparison
IN PHOTOS: Temple Mount as a Battleground
The 70 Names of Jerusalem – Kee’seh Adonai – The Seat of the LORD
Arab Family Evicted From Jewish-Owned Property. World Loses Its Mind
How Jewish Was Jesus?
ANALYSIS: What’s Behind Latest Wave of Violence in Jerusalem
Oil Lamps From the Time of Jesus Remind Us of the Ten Virgins
Did Biden Tell Israelis Where They Can and Can’t Go in Jerusalem?
At the End of the Day, It’s All About Jerusalem
Israeli Archaeologists Find Ancient ‘Hangover’ Ring
Palestinians Set Sights on Jerusalem Amid Corona Crisis
Member of Knesset Incites Against Israel
The Sword in the Sea Bottom
What Lies Beneath Tel Abu Shusha?
Foreign Tourism Bounces Back in Jerusalem
Jerusalem Building On Hold After American Request
Members
Israel Today Membership
Monthly Membership
$5
/ month
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Become a Member
Yearly Membership
$46
/ year
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 18% Per Month.
Save 18% Per Month.
Become a Member
Six Months Membership
$28
every 6 months
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 9% Per Month.
Save 9% Per Month.
Become a Member
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Only members can read and write comments.