The excavation site of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, the place where Jesus restored sight to a blind man, will be opened to the public for the first time.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation have announced the commencement of excavations that will allow for the full exposure of the Pool of Siloam.
Visitors will be able to view the excavation stage of the pool, which in the coming months will become part of the tourist route from the City of David to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
According to the Old Testament, the Pool of Siloam was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20).
This pool is the site of one of the most famous miracles performed by Jesus.
After anointing a blind man's eyes with mud and saliva, Jesus sent him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. There, the man's sight was restored (John 9:1-7).
In 1980, archaeologists found the first indications of the location of this famous biblical site situated outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City. However, they had to wait until 2005 to officially confirm its rediscovery.
"It is estimated that the Pool of Siloam went through multiple stages of development, and at the height of its glory, it was approximately 5 dunams (1.25 acres) in size and was inlaid with impressive stone slabs," explained the IAA spokesperson.
The excavations have also revealed that the pool was 225 feet wide and that there were steps on at least three of its sides.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion welcomed the start of the project. "The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historical, national, and international importance," he stated.
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"After many years of anticipation, we will soon be able to uncover this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors who come to Jerusalem each year," said the mayor.
This article was originally published by Catholic World Report (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.