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The Herodian Quarter – The Wohl Museum of Archeology is a six-house
compound, situated on the slope of the hill facing the Temple Mount.
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The archeological remains are at the basement level of the ancient
two level buildings. Visitors to the site are actually at the basement level of
the Yeshiva and of the ancient quarter.
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The Upper City was situated on the western hill – the location of
today’s Jewish Quarter. Populated by aristocratic families and Temple priests, the
homes were built on terraces, one above the other on the slope, the roof of one
house forming the basement of the house above. This allowed all the homes to have
an unrestricted view of the Temple.
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The exhibit focuses on three houses: The Western House, the Middle Complex and the
Palatial Mansion. These were apparently the homes
of aristocratic families during the Herodian period, probably Temple priests and
their families. The homes were designed in the Hellenistic/Roman style popular at
the time.
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The design of the dwellings, and the findings revealed during the
excavations, bear witness to the residents’ wealth and high standard of living.
They allow us to observe the living conditions and way of life of Jerusalem aristocrats
on the eve of the destruction of the Second Temple.
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Special attention was given to the quarter’s bathing rooms. The flooring was composed
of colorful mosaics, and frescoes adorned the walls. The utensils, the artifacts
and the luxuries revealed in the excavations, such as the decorated plates and imported
wine jugs, all attest to the wealth of the residents.
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The largest and most important house in the museum is known as “The
Palatial Mansion”. It has a built area of 600 sqm., and its rooms were richly decorated.
It also had a large balcony with a view of the Temple.
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A unique find is the seven-armed menorah (candelabra) carved on one of the walls.
This is the oldest explicit depiction of the menorah, and it is likely that it was
carved by a person who had actually seen the original menorah, still at use at that
time in the Temple.
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The museum was built 15 years ago, thanks to a donation by Vivian
and Morris Wohl. Restoration activities have been undertaken recently, and a new,
modern and attractive presentation, incorporating advanced multimedia systems, is
being planned.
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The Site List
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