From fortress to welcome mat: Accessibility at the Tower of David
Elevators, ramps, and tactile exhibits now make 85% of the site accessible, a feat that required removing a vaulted medieval roof to install an elevator.
An intern at the Tower of David tries out goggles that offer a panoramic virtual reality view of Jerusalem.(photo credit: SHARON ALTSHUL)BySHARON ALTSHULBuilt as a fortress to protect Jerusalem from intruders, the Tower of David Citadel was once a barrier to outsiders. Today, it represents inclusion, transformed into one of the most accessible historic landmarks in Jerusalem.
The journey hasn’t been easy. “The steps in the Old City were built for camels,” notes Gura Berger, spokesperson for PAMI, the East Jerusalem Development Company. Since 2009, PAMI has spearheaded efforts to make the one-square-mile Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible. With seven government bodies, merchants, and 40,000 residents involved, the challenges were as vast as its 10 million annual visitors.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion sums it up: “Ensuring that everyone can experience its beauty and history, regardless of ability, reflects our commitment to inclusion and respect for diversity.”
The Tower of David Jerusalem Museum (ToD) showcases these advancements. Elevators, ramps, and tactile exhibits now make 85% of the site accessible, a feat that required removing a vaulted medieval roof to install an elevator. The synthesis of innovation with the preservation of antiquities has been possible in recent years, according to Dr. Amit Re’em, Jerusalem Regional Archeologist, Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Although the Phasael Tower remains out of reach for wheelchairs, a virtual reality experience offers visitors breathtaking views of Jerusalem from above.
Reut Kozak, head of Access and Inclusion, at the Tower of David Jerusalem. (credit: SHARON ALTSHUL)Accessibility extends beyond mobility. Reut Kozak, head of Access and Inclusion, highlights the museum’s groundbreaking initiatives, such as comprehensive guides in international sign language, simplified audio tours for neurodiverse visitors, and descriptive tools for the visually impaired – all included with the price of admission.
“Archaeology belongs to everyone,” says Eli Escusido, director of the IAA. “The story of Jerusalem is now open and accessible to more audiences.”
The Jerusalem Municipality says that a $16 million investment has increased accessibility, which includes ramps, accessible pathways, navigation apps, and audio descriptive guiding in the Old City. The Old City accessibility project is being funded by the Ministry of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA), together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Accessibility Department of the municipality, the National Social Security Agency, and the IAI, carried out by the East Jerusalem Development Company (PAMI) and accompanied by accessibility consultants according to local topographical restrictions.
The Tower of David Museum, housed in the iconic citadel of Jerusalem at the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City, parts of which date back 2,700 years, recently completed a transformative 10-year renovation project, with the new entrance pavilion opening in March 2024, making the historic site nearly fully accessible and inclusive for visitors.
“This renovation serves as a powerful example of how accessibility can be integrated into even the most ancient and sensitive heritage sites,” the museum says in a press release.
The museum’s efforts culminated in a first-of-its-kind Global Conference on Accessibility in Historic Sites, December 3-5, 2024, to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities. Led by the Tower of David’s director and chief curator, Eilat Lieber, the conference invited global experts to share solutions, proving that accessibility and preservation can go hand in hand. With a potential audience online of a billion individuals with disabilities, Jerusalem’s Tower of David and Old City show the world that history truly can belong to everyone.■
