Skip to main content

The Jerusalem Mummy

A Tour to the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Tombs of Ketef Hinnom

Some Important Details

  • תאריכון

    Date and Time

    Hebrew only:

    Friday, May 1, Saturday, May 2 | 10:00am–12:30pm

  • מחיר

    Cost

    50 NIS
    45 NIS for Senior citizens

  • Accessibility & Difficulty

    Not accessible
    Difficulty level: Easy

  • מדריך

    Guide

    Eyal Weinstein

During the British Mandate period, some of Jerusalem’s most important architectural buildings were constructed around St. Julian Street, later renamed King David Street. Among them, behind a high wall, stands an impressive Renaissance-style building – the Pontifical Biblical Institute. This three-story structure was established about a century ago by the Vatican as a center for biblical and archaeological studies in the Holy Land. It was run by the Jesuit Order, who still manage it today.

On the tour, we will visit the institute and its small museum, where we’ll see the only mummy in Israel, nicknamed Alexander – a young Egyptian official mummified in the 3rd century BCE. We’ll also visit the library and church and hear about the institute’s activities. From there, we’ll walk to nearby burial caves from the Second Temple period, and then to the First Temple period tombs at Ketef Hinnom, where the oldest known biblical text – the Priestly Blessing – was discovered.

Meeting Point: Entrance to the YMCA complex, near the stairs
End Point: Ketef Hinnom tombs, near the Begin Heritage Center, 6 S.A. Nachon Street

Photo Credit: American Colony (Jerusalem), Photo Dept.

Tickets purchased on the website can be canceled, provided the cancellation is made no later than 4 business days before the scheduled activity. Cancellations will only be accepted in writing via email at [email protected]

Contact us

*Fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Thank You!

Your message has been sent, we will contact you as soon as possible.

Upgrade your visit to Jerusalem