Hezekiah's Tunnel

In approximately 701 B.C. King Hezekiah had a tunnel built that ensured a study supply of water into Jerusalem. This 1,750 foot tunnel was built while the city was under siege by the Assyrians. Basically, two teams started at different ends and amazingly met in the middle. On our first full day in Jerusalem we went through this tunnel. I was terrified the entire day thinking of trekking through this tunnel. Why? Because I suffer from claustrophobia. No one was going to force me to go through the tunnel, but I couldn't imagine missing out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. We approached the tunnel through Warren's shaft. We wound down and down. But at least there were metal stairs and the passages were very large. I began to think that this might not be so bad. But then I saw it. The entrance to the actual tunnel. A very small tunnel with water still flowing through it. It was too late to back out so I braced myself and went for it. The first few steps into the tunnel took us into water up to my hips. Ice cold spring water! It literally took my breath away and I began to hyperventilate. Then I began to pray. I knew I could not make it through this tunnel on my own. God was going to have to take me through it. The water suddenly became much shallower...just to our ankles. We trudged single file through the dark, tiny tunnel. We each had a flashlight or else we would not have been able to see. Not that we could have lost our way since the walls were pressing in on our shoulders and at times our heads. While it was an amazing experience (you can still see the chisel marks in the stone) I was so happy to be out of that tunnel. Here are a few pics for your enjoyment.

Preparing to enter the tunnel through Warren's Shaft

Anita and Kathy. Check out the water line on Anita's pants.


Paul ahead of me in the tunnel. This gives you a sense of the size of it.
Squeeeeeeeze through Paul!

Even Anita and I had to duck in the shortest areas of the tunnel.