The Castle of Jerusalem is the best witness of the old history of the city. The building that lies on the western side of the Old City wall next to Hebron Gate[1] is believed to be constructed by the Romans in the second century BC.[2]
Many Hands, Many Eras
However, the original building was destroyed and rebuilt many times since the Roman era up until the Ottoman Empire.[3] Most of the current building date back to the Mamluk era and more specifically to the time of Al-Nasser Mohammad Bin Qalawun’s reign. Qalawun ordered the castle to be rebuilt in AD 1310,[4] while the gates, the niche and the platform were added by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.[5]
Military Purposes
The building was used for military purposes, which is shown in the high walls, many towers, external fortifications, and trench around it.[6] Ever since the Roman construction, the castle has been used for defensive goals and was the headquarters for the administration and military.[7]
Israeli Hijack
In addition to its military use, the castle was used as a place for prayer during the different Islamic dynasties. However, the Israeli occupation tried to connect it to Jewish history by calling it the Castle of David.[8][9]
The Israeli government is now using the castle as a Jewish museum. Dedicating parts of it as an exhibition for Jewish history showing the Temple in the place of Al-Aqsa and displaying Jewish pilgrims around it.[10]
Excavations Beneath but No Jewish History
During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the British government asked for excavations permit under the castle to determine its history. However, after the Israeli occupation of the eastern part of the city in 1967 up until now, the excavations increased dramatically. Now there are excavations under the castle more than 80 meters long and 15 meters deep.[11] Although the excavations uncovered remnants that date back to Roman, Umayyad, and Mamluk dynasties[12], no Jewish related remnants were found which again proves that Jerusalem has never been for Israelis and that they have no historical relation with the city.
