Herod's Western Palace

Herod the Great, King of Judea from 37 BC to 4 BC, built his Palace in Jerusalem during the last quarter of the 1st century BC. At the time, it was the second most important building in Jerusalem, after the Jewish Second Temple, which he also constructed. Herod's Western Palace was built along the northwestern city wall in the Upper City of Jerusalem, 1,000 feet above sea level and with exceptional views of the Dead Sea.
At 3,700 square meters, the Western Palace was the largest structure in the area – although it is hard to believe today, since virtually nothing remains of the ancient fortress except a few sections of the citadel, named the Tower of David. This is in large part due to Rebelling Jews entering and burning the Palace during the First Jewish Rebellion in 66 AD. The Tower of David Museum now occupies the site of the former palace. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. Herod’s Western Palace consisted of two main wings separated by lavish gardens and porticoes, and guarded by three imposing towers. Each wing could receive and accommodate hundreds of guests. Rumors recently surfaced that Herod’s Palace may have been where Jesus was trialed and sentenced.

Practical Info

Herod's Jerusalem Palace-Fortress is located in the northwest corner of the Upper City walls. The ruins are not open to the public.