There is no doubt that the Broad Wall is one of the most important discoveries ever found in Jerusalem. It is a remnant of a wall segment impressive in both size and width, measuring 45 meters long and 7 meters thick
What was this massive wall surrounding the city? Who built it, and why?
Only after excavating the foundations of this massive wall did Professor Nachman Avigad and his assistants dare to conclude that this was a segment of an ancient Israelite fortification. This discovery settled an age-old academic debate: What kind of settlement was Jerusalem during the First Temple period—a small rural suburb or a sprawling residential area entirely enclosed by a wall?
Prior to this discovery, many scholars believed that the capital of the Kings of Judah, up until the destruction of the Temple, extended only south of the Temple Mount and within the limited area of the City of David. With the discovery of this wall, the true scale of the city was revealed.
In 701 BCE, the Assyrian army launched a massive campaign toward the Land of Israel. During those days, King Hezekiah ruled the Kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah prepared for the coming threat, fortifying the city for siege and defense. As part of these preparations, he built the Broad Wall to protect the city, which was then crowded with refugees fleeing the exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
The wall was built in haste. Hezekiah did not spare the houses that stood in the path of the wall’s construction. The Prophet Isaiah directed sharp criticism toward this act (Isaiah 22:10): “And you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall.”
What happened to the figures mentioned? The story is told in full at the site. Bring your Bible to the Broad Wall and bring the characters and the words to life.
Punctuality: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled visit.
Traffic: Please take into account Jerusalem’s traffic congestion, particularly within the Jewish Quarter during intermediate holidays (Chol HaMoed), and plan accordingly.
