Excavation Site of Pool of Siloam Where Jesus Cured a Blind Man to Open to Public

After Jesus smeared the eyes of a blind man with mud and saliva, he sent him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. There the man recovered his sight (John 9:1–7).

In 1980, archaeologists found the first indications of the location of this celebrated biblical site located outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. However, they had to wait until 2005 to officially confirm their rediscovery.

“According to estimates, the Pool of Siloam went through multiple stages of development, and at the height of its glory was approximately the size of 5 dunams (1.25 acres), and inlaid with impressive flagstones,” the spokesperson for the IAA explained.

Excavations also revealed that the pool was 225 feet wide, and that there were steps on at least three sides of the pool. 

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, praised the start of the project. “The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historic, national, and international significance,” he said.

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“After many years of anticipation, we will soon merit being able to uncover this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors visiting Jerusalem each year,” the mayor said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.