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Accessibility at the Tower of David

One of the guided principles of the renewal of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum in 2023, was to make every effort in making the Museum as accessible as possible. We believe that despite the museum’s location within a complex historical and archaeological building, all the visitors passing through the museum’s gates deserve to have equal access to enjoy their visit.

Exhibit halls at the museum are accessible, and we also offer a variety of aids to make the exhibitions accessible.

The Tower of David Jerusalem Museum is proud to welcome visitors from all different backgrounds and religions and is equally proud, that as a result of the renewal of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum in 2023, visitors with disabilities, their families and those accompanying them can also now find the museum welcoming and accessible.

General Accessibility at the Museum

  • The Museum does not have reserved parking spots, parking is available in the adjacent Karta and Mamilla lots
  • With prior arrangement – you can arrive by car directly to the museum entrance and drop people off, and afterwards park in one of the adjacent parking lots
  • All museum exhibit halls are accessible
  • The Museum has 2 new elevators to bring you to the middle and upper floor of the Citadel – Link to the Museum Map
  • The Museum has wheelchair lifts in 5 spots: Bathrooms in the Citadel Courtyard, bathrooms next to the museum exit, the moat (2 lifts), and Gallery 9 – Modern Times
  • Throughout the Museum there are ramps and wide terraces
  • The use of a wheelchair, at no extra charge, is available at the main entrance
  • Discount on tickets available for those with a certificate of disability
  • At the Museum Entrance you can receive a tactile map of the Museum
  • Express no-waiting entry upon presentation of certificate of disability (applies to entry both to the Museum and to the Night Experiences)

Blind and Sight Impaired Visitors

  • The Citadel courtyard is accessible through the Step-Hear system – it is recommended to download the app in advance
  • Entry to the Museum is permitted for guide dogs and service dogs
  • In the new exhibit, there are a number of displays that you can touch in the following galleries: On the Shore of Eternity, The Holy City, Sacred Geography, and Praises of Jerusalem
  • The night performance, Night Spectacular, is accessible through audio description and easy-to-use, comfortable headsets. With advance registration, you can reserve comfortable spaces allowing easy entry for guide dogs. The Night Spectacular audio description is available in Hebrew or English.
  • Inclusive guided tours for groups – with advance reservation
  • An accessible audio guide with audio description is available, in Hebrew, for the entire permanent exhibition.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired Visitors

  • At the Museum entrance – an ipad is readily available for communicating with the cashier
  • Inclusive guided tours accompanied by hearing aids – hearing loop.
  • Guided tours for schools and adults offered by museum guides who speak Israeli, American and International Sign Language – prior reservation required
  • For almost every event that occurs at the Museum, if the event allows, you can request a sign language interpreter or instantaneous transcription. Request must be made 14 days in advance
  • For the first time in Israel! The entire Museum is accessible through a visual guide in Israeli and International Sign Language. For the visual guide – click here.

Visitors with Limited Mobility

  • Exhibit rooms are accessible to people with limited mobility
  • The Museum courtyard has 2 elevators to the upper floors of the Citadel
  • Ramps, porches and passageways in the Citadel courtyard are wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible bathroom stalls are located in the new entrance pavilion, the courtyard, and at the museum exit
  • You may request a wheelchair at the entrance to the museum at no charge.
  • The observation point on top of Phasael Tower is accessible through 360° photographs and VR headsets – with no extra charge.
  • Areas that are not wheelchair accessible: the observation point on top of Phasael Tower, Minaret courtyard, lower grassy area, and bathrooms in Gallery 1 (On the Shore of Eternity).

  • The view from the top of the Phasael Tower has been made accessible through 360-degree photographs and VR binoculars – at no additional cost. For an accessible experience at the observation point, click on the image:
The view from the Phasael Tower is accessible due to a gift from Mimi and Elie Douer, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Night Experiences

  • People with limited mobility are invited to enter the Night Experiences through a new accessible entrance located next to Jaffa Gate. Notify the Museum in advance at [email protected] or by phone: *2884
  • Relaxed performance of the Night Experiences occur monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. For more information >>>
  • Night Experiences are accessible through audio description with comfortable, easy-to-use headsets. Seating allowing for comfortable access including guide dogs with prior reservation. Audio description is available in Hebrew or English
  • At present, due to the situation, the night experiences are only being shown once a week. The relaxed performances are on hold for the time being.

Additional Accessibility Options

  • Customized Tours for Private Groups – Available by reservation and prior coordination.
  • Leisure Activities for Families with Children with Special Needs – Offered according to the museum’s announcements.
  • Leisure Activities for Adults with Special Needs – Offered according to the museum’s announcements.
  • “Quiet Time” – The museum invites families and adults with special needs to visit during special hours when it is closed to the general public, allowing for a limited number of visitors. Details are provided in the museum’s announcements.
  • Guided Tours for Adults Using Wheelchairs Outside the Museum – Designed for groups.
  • Accessible Audio Guide – An accessible audio guide through simple language in Hebrew is available for people with cognitive disabilities.

Find out more about Accessibility in Historic Sites and Cities Around the World

In December 2024, the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum hosted the first global conference on Accessibility in Heritage Sites and Historic Cities. You can view the sessions here.

Local and International Awards

For ground-breaking accessibility of the museum in the area of Accessibility in Preserved Historical and Archaeological Buildings, the Museum earned first place in 2022 in the Access Israel Prize in memory of Simcha Lustig. In 2023, the museum won the prestigious international Zero Project Award granted in conjunction with the UN and the Essl Foundation for ground-breaking accessibility in the field of culture.

First place award in the Access Israel Prize in memory of Simcha Lustig (Photo: Guy Taieb)
Zero Project international competition, in conjunction with the UN and Essl Foundation

To arrange a guided tour: 02-6265347 | [email protected]

To order tickets for the Night Experiences: *2884 | 02-6265333 | [email protected]

Head of Accessibility and Inclusion: Reut Kozak
Phone: 02-626-5393 | [email protected]

Last updated: 15.12.2024