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

"Happy are the inhabitants of this house"

— The Ophel Mikveh Trail —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

1. "Happy are the inhabitants of this house" Marker

Inscription. This Byzantine-period dwelling stood along the broad road that ascended to the Hulda Gates. It was built atop the remains of a structure from the Second Temple period, which included ritual purification baths and cisterns. In one of the rooms of the Byzantine house is a mosaic floor with a Greek inscription: "Happy are the inhabitants of this house." The Old City wall, built in the sixteenth century, was constructed over the remains of the house.

(Hebrew text not transcribed)

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

Location. 31° 46.525′ N, 35° 14.141′ 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Remains of the east wall of the Umayyad Palace (here, next to this marker); "The path back...may be deemed clean" (here, next to this marker); "Purity has spread in Israel" (here, next to this marker); The Ophel Mikveh Trail (here, next to this marker); Religious Rules of Ritual Purification Baths (a few steps from this marker); Household Vessels - purity and impurity (a few steps from this marker); Residential building from Byzantine Period (a few steps from this marker); "Neverless the fountain or a cistern wherein is a gathering of water shall be clean" (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jerusalem.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

2. "Happy are the inhabitants of this house" Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

3. "Happy are the inhabitants of this house" Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 13, 2023

4. "Happy are the inhabitants of this house" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.