Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel — The Middle East (West Asia)

Rock-hewn cistern with hydraulic plaster

— The Ophel Mikveh Trail —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

1. Rock-hewn cistern with hydraulic plaster Marker

Inscription. The presence of tens of thousands of pilgrims in Jerusalem required suitable infrastructure, the most basic of which was the water supply. The water was used, among other purposes, for religious rituals and purification rites.
The water supply to the many cistern and miqva'ot in public buildings and dwellings in Jerusalem was largely based on rain water.
Many cisterns were discovered in the Ophel area, a number of which had a large capacity. The cisterns were rock-hewn and coated with hydraulic plaster to prevent seepage.

(Hebrew text not transcribed)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture.

Location. 31° 46.515′ N, 35° 14.152′ E. Marker is in Jerusalem, Jerusalem District. It can be reached from Derekh Ha'ophel Street. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Asia,

specifically in West Asia,

in the Middle East,

in The Levant,

on the Red Sea,

in a coastal Mediterranean country,

and in the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire,

the Ottoman Empire,

a British Mandate,

and the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Neverless the fountain or a cistern wherein is a gathering of water shall be clean" (here, next to this marker); Household Vessels - purity and impurity (a few steps from this marker); Religious Rules of Ritual Purification Baths (a few steps from this marker); The Ophel Mikveh Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Ophel Mikveh Trail (within shouting distance

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of this marker); "Happy are the inhabitants of this house" (within shouting distance of this marker); "Purity has spread in Israel" (within shouting distance of this marker); Remains of the east wall of the Umayyad Palace (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jerusalem.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

2. Rock-hewn cistern with hydraulic plaster Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

3. Rock-hewn cistern with hydraulic plaster Marker

Close up of the hydraulic plaster image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

4. Close up of the hydraulic plaster

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

5. Close up of the hydraulic plaster

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

6. Close up of the hydraulic plaster

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 6, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.