Etched in Stone - The Wall Builders

Etched in Stone - The Wall Builders. . Rising above us, Jerusalem's impressive city wall was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century CE. In many places t was built above the remains of earlier city walls. Evidence of the wall's construction and destruction is visible in this section, during a period when the city was controlled by seven different rulers. , 164 , The Hasmoneans fortified the city and enclosed its western hill with a wall above the Valley of Hinnom which is located west of this section of wall. , King Herod renovated and thickened the Hasmonean wall and also incorporated magnificent towers in it. This fortification also supported the foundation of his palace. Jerusalem's city walls were destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. , 324-638 , The Byzantines Historical sources attribute the rehabilitation of the wall to the Byzantine empress Eudocia who resided in Jerusalem between the years 444-460 CE. The Byzantine city's fortifications are depicted in a mosaic pavement that was discovered at Madaba in Jordan. , 969-1099 , The Fatimids The line of the Fatimid wall has determined the route of city wall to the present. , 1187 , The Crusaders , Relied on the line of the Fatimid wall and added towers to it in the corners of the city. , 1187 , The Ayyubids reinforced the existing line of the wall, constructed towers along it and also enclosed Mount Zion. The Ayyubids themselves destroyed their wall fearing the Crusaders would capture the city and ensconce themselves inside it. , 1517-1917 , The Ottomans built the wall we see today along the route of the Fatimid/Crusader wall, omitting Mount Zion, whilst utilizing stones taken from the ruins of the Ayybbid wall.