Zedekiah’s Cave (King Solomon’s Quarries), Jerusalem – a Historic Site, an Audiovisual Show & Secrets Thousands of Years revealed

Hidden beneath the houses of the Old City, Zedekiah’s Cave – also known as King Solomon’s Quarries – is one of the most stunning and mysterious sites in Jerusalem. The cave served as an ancient quarry. It extends today over an area of approximately 9,000 square meters (1 hectare), 225 meters (740 feet) long, 100 meters (330 feet) wide, and up to 15 meters (50 feet) high.

From here was extracted the famous stone known by its Arabic name “Mizi Malaka” – an excellent building stone used to construct the grand structures of Jerusalem. Use of the cave is believed to have begun here as early as the First Temple period.

Legend & History

• King Zedekiah – According to tradition, Zedekiah, the last king of Judea, fled through this cave to the plains of Jericho during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The cave has been named after him, and the spring flowing in its depths is called “Zedekiah’s Tears.”
• Josephus Flavius may have referred to it as the “Cavern of the Kings.” Its stones were used in the construction of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, and possibly even in the Temple expanded by King Herod.
• The cave disappeared with the construction of the city walls during the Ottoman period, and was rediscovered by chance in the mid-19th century.
• In the early 20-th century, stones were quarried from the cave to build the Clock Tower that once stood above Jaffa Gate, later dismantled during the British Mandate period. The last stones taken from the cave were used for the walls of the prayer room at the Jerusalem International YMCA.
• In the 19-th century, members of the Freemasons Order adopted the ancient quarry as a gathering place and founded one of their first lodges in the Holy Land here.

The Audiovisual Show – “Mysteries Beneath the Walls”

Zedekiah’s Cave is open to the public featuring a new immersive audiovisual show: “Mysteries Beneath the Walls” – a captivating journey through time and space, unfolding across projection stations on the cave’s dark walls.

The show includes:

• Entry into the mysterious world of the First Temple period
• Legends and myths from the Second Temple period
• An encounter with the mythological Cherub from the Ark of the Covenant
• The legendary “Shamir Worm,” said to have been used to cut the stones of Solomon’s Temple
• King Zedekiah’s journey into Babylonian exile
• The rebuilding of Jerusalem after 2,000 years of exile

Visit Options

Entrance to a Tour with an Audiovisual Show (Recommended)

Tickets must be reserved at www.pami.co.il, according to the times published upon booking. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled show time. Duration: approximately 45–60 minutes

Entrance to a Self-Guided Tour (Without the Audiovisual Show)

Independent exploration is available Sunday–Thursday, 09:00–10:00, and at additional hours subject to site availability.

Organized Group Visits

Group visits are available Sunday–Thursday, 10:00–14:00/15:00, subject to site availability. Advance coordination required: tourism@pami.co.il

Special evening openings for groups are available for an additional fee.

Private Events & Performances

Events and performances are held periodically at the cave. Follow updates on the website and Facebook/Instagram page (in Hebrew).

For private events: tourism@pami.co.il

Important Information Before Your Visit

• Tickets: Available online at www.pami.co.il or at the site’s box office.
  For the audiovisual show – advance booking required.
• Children: Recommended for ages 7 and above due to the complexity of the technology and content. Children up to age 5 – free admission.
• Footwear: Please wear comfortable, closed walking shoes. There are wet surfaces and drippings from the cave ceiling.
• Accessibility: The site is not accessible – there are stairs on site, and entry with strollers is not possible. Parts of the path may be slippery and dimly lit.
• Weather: The site is suitable for visits all year round in any weather condition.
• Opening Hours: Published on the website of the East Jerusalem Development Company at www.pami.co.il.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations or changes must be made at least 3 business days in advance (excluding Friday–Saturday), in writing only to: tourism@pami.co.il
• No-shows, late arrivals, or cancellations within 3 business days will be charged in full.
• Weather conditions are not grounds for cancellation.
• Latecomers will not be permitted to join a guided tour, so as not to disrupt the experience of other visitors.

Contact Us

• General inquiries & private events: tourism@pami.co.il
• Ticket reservations: www.pami.co.il