The city of Jerusalem

In the summer of 1872 a curious traveler first glimpsed Jerusalem’s ancient wall, the lone minaret, and the cypress‑shaded Armenian garden, a city far quieter than today’s bustling capital. Over three winters he wandered its narrow alleys, the Jews’ Quarter and the nascent suburbs, tracing the steps of explorers such as Sir Charles Wilson and Sir Charles Warren. The author weaves these observations into a clear, illustrated guide that brings together half a century of archaeological research once scattered across costly tomes.

Readers are led through remarkable discoveries—a walk along the Siloam tunnel where Hezekiah’s engineers once met, the exposed buttresses of Herod’s Temple rampart, and the faded mosaics hidden beneath the Dome of the Rock. By comparing ancient inscriptions, medieval accounts, and modern excavations, the book paints a vivid picture of how Jerusalem’s stone tells its own story. The narrative balances scholarly detail with personal adventure, making the city’s layered past approachable for anyone with a love of history.