The compound consists of six houses, built on a hillside overlooking the Temple Mount. The exhibit concentrates on three of those houses: the Western House, the Middle House, and the House of Measurements. In the Herodian Period these were home to some of the wealthiest aristocrats in Jerusalem, apparently from the priestly classes. The inhabitants designed their homes meticulously in the Greco-Roman style that was popular back than.
The archeological remains are mainly from the cellars of these houses, which were apparently two stories in height. Nevertheless, their content provides a vivid indication of the inhabitants’ wealth. There are countless storage rooms, as well as reservoirs, tiual baths, and ovens, and such decorative embellishments as colorful mosaics, elaborate stucco work, and even frescoes.
Many luxury items were found there by archeologists, who concluded that the residents enjoyed a very high standard of living. They used only the finest goods, include terra cotta dinnerware, imported amphorae for wine, and delicate flasks for the dinner table.
There are also innumerable stone utensils, which were especially popular among the priestly caste for reasons of ritual purity. The largest and most impressive of these homes is the House of Measurements, which has a floor space of 600 m2. Its rooms are all richly decorated and there is even a large balcony overlooking the Temple Mount.
The Herodian quarter was discovered by archeologists when the Jewish quarter rebuilt following the six day war. The museum, constructed in the 1980’s, was endowed by Mrs. Vivian and Mr. Maurice Wohl. In the course of the years, ongoing preservation work has been done to protect the remains from the ravages of time and from occasional and unfortunate damage caused by the many visitors to the site, insuring the integrity of the remains and of the exhibits.
Your visit to this site is an unique opportunity to acquaint yourself with the glorious history of second temple period Jerusalem.
Our address:
1 HaKara’im st. , the Jewish quarter, old city, Jerusalem
Tel: 02-6283448
E-mail: atarim7@012.net.il
The Company for the Preservation and Development of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem
Rothschild House, Batei Mashe Sq. P.O.B. 14012, Jerusalem 91140
Tel 02-6288141, Fax. 02-6287212
