Natali Cohen

City of David

The story of the City of David (Ir David- עיר דוד) began over 3,000 years ago, when King David left the city of Hebron for a small hilltop city known as Jerusalem, establishing it as the unified capital of the tribes of Israel. Years later, David`s son, King Solomon, built the First Temple next to the City of David on top of Mount Moriah, the site of the binding of Isaac, and with it, this hilltop became one of the most important sites in the world. Today, the story of the City of David continues. Deep underground, the City of David is revealing some of the most exciting archeological finds of the ancient world. While above ground, the city is a vibrant center of activity with a visitor`s center that welcomes visitors for an exciting tour to the site where much of the Bible was written. The Ir David Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1986, committed to strengthening the connection of people from around the world to ancient Jerusalem's glorious past through a number of key initiatives, including: archaeological excavation, tourism development and educational programming. Today, the City of David National Park is one of the most visited tourist sites in Israel, providing over half a million visitors annually – among them Muslims, Christians and Jews – a tourism experience meeting the highest levels of international standards. The Ir David foundation runs activities at four historic sites in ancient Jerusalem: The City of David National Park, Armon Hanatziv, Emek Tzurim National Park, and the Mount of Olives. In 2010, the City of David was listed by the Government of Israel as one of Israel's National Heritage Sites. The City of David Store provides visitors with an opportunity to take home a piece of Jerusalem. Offering one of a kind gifts from the City of David and replicas of artifacts found at the site, the City of David Store also carries the artwork of some of the most talented artists that Israel has to offer.