Zedekiah’s Cave

About Zedekiah’s Cave

Zedekiah’s Cave, a limestone rock quarry under the Old City of Jerusalem, was possibly the largest quarry of Jerusalem in antiquity, yet it was abandoned in the Middle Ages and even forgotten. It was rediscovered in 1854 by American missionary James Turner Barclay after his dog ran into a small opening that had been revealed by heavy rainfall.

Myths and Stories

Early research suggested that the stones for Solomon’s Temple may have been hewn and taken from this quarry, which is why the site is sometimes referred to as Solomon’s Quarries. By Jewish tradition, King Zedekiah attempted to flee a besieged Jerusalem for Jericho through this cave. He was captured and blinded by the Babylonians and his sons were put to death. He spent the rest of his life blind and imprisoned. Near the back of the cave is a spring where water trickles into a small pool, known as “Zedekiah’s tears” because of the tears he shed upon losing his kingdom and seeing children executed. Herod the Great used this quarry for his building projects including the Second Temple. Suleiman the Magnificent apparently used the quarry and ultimately sealed the cave to prevent enemy attacks.

Mining of “Malka Stone”

Started as a small cave entrance, it became the source for the beautiful “Malka” stone or “royal stone” which had been used to craft many of the magnificent and striking buildings in Jerusalem since biblical times. After the narrow entrance, the cave slopes down into a auditorium-like chamber that leads into many chambers carved out by ancient stonecutters.