The Pilgrimage Road, Old City Jerusalem

Walk Where Jesus May Have Walked: The Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem

The Pilgrimage Road in Jerusalem’s City of David is a 2,000-year-old stepped street that once carried thousands of Jewish pilgrims from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount during major festivals in the Second Temple period. Visitors walking this ancient path can imagine the crowds ascending in reverent procession, pausing at landings, and passing through bustling marketplaces that once lined the route. The road, constructed around 30–31 CE under Pontius Pilate, provides a rare opportunity to experience the city much as it existed in the time of Jesus, connecting Scripture to tangible history (John 9:1–12; Luke 2:41–42).

Today, the Pilgrimage Road is fully accessible to travelers on Holy Land Tours and Israel Trips, offering a living encounter with Jerusalem’s past. Rediscovered in 2004 after a burst sewage pipe revealed its ancient paving stones, the site underwent careful excavation for more than six years before sections of the road were officially opened to the public in September 2025. Along the way, visitors can see archaeological finds such as ancient coins, stone weights, and remnants of shops that once served pilgrims. Walking this path is not only a journey through history but also a spiritual experience, allowing modern travelers to step into the footsteps of prophets, pilgrims, and possibly Jesus Himself, making it a highlight of any biblical tour of Jerusalem.

For Christian travelers, the Pilgrimage Road holds profound spiritual significance. Walking this ancient route offers a tangible connection to the life and ministry of Jesus, who likely traveled this path during festivals and visits to the Temple (Luke 2:41–42; John 9:1–12). It provides a direct encounter with the environment of the New Testament, allowing visitors to reflect on the faith, devotion, and daily life of those who lived at the time of Christ. Experiencing the same stones that Jesus may have walked on transforms the biblical narrative from text to reality, deepening understanding, reverence, and personal connection during Holy Land Tours and Israel Trips.

Step onto the ancient Pilgrimage Road in the City of David and follow the same path taken by Jewish pilgrims, and possibly Jesus Himself, on their way to the Temple Mount.