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Pool of Bethesda

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Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda is an archaeological site in Jerusalem, identified in the New Testament as a site where Jesus healed a man who had been ill for 38 years. The site consists of the remains of a pool that was historically surrounded by five porticoes. Visitors go here to see the ancient stone structures and the water system associated with the biblical accounts of healing.

Getting There

The site is located within the Old City of Jerusalem. From the city center, it is accessible via a short walk through the pedestrian streets of the Old City. Depending on your starting point, the walk typically takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Duration of Visit

Most visitors spend between 30 and 60 minutes exploring the ruins and reading the historical markers on site.

When to Visit

The area can get crowded during peak tourist seasons and on religious holidays. Visiting in the early morning is recommended to avoid the largest crowds. Because the site is outdoors, avoid the midday heat during the summer months.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its central location in the Old City, this site can be combined with several other landmarks within walking distance:

  • East Jerusalem: 0.3km
  • Muslim Quarter: 0.3km
  • Dome of the Rock: 0.4km
  • Moriah: 0.4km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

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Stays near Pool of Bethesda

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Good to visit alongside

East Jerusalem

Shopping & districts

East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem is the eastern part of the city, internationally recognized as Palestinian territory. It has been under effective Israeli control since the Third Arab-Israeli War, giving it a complicated history.

0.3 km away
Muslim Quarter

Shopping & districts

Muslim Quarter

One of the four quarters of Jerusalem's Old City, it is the largest and most populous of them. The Via Dolorosa, said to be the path Jesus walked, begins within this quarter.

0.3 km away
Dome of the Rock

Temples & religious sites

Dome of the Rock

This Islamic holy site stands atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, built by the Umayyad dynasty in the 7th century and restored several times since. It ranks among the oldest surviving works of Islamic architecture, giving it great historical significance.

0.4 km away
Moriah

Nature

Moriah

An ancient mountainous region mentioned in the Old Testament, said to be where Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. In Judaism, it is identified with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, site of Solomon's Temple.

0.4 km away
Temple Mount

Temples & religious sites

Temple Mount

The Temple Mount, located in Jerusalem's Old City, is Judaism's holiest site, where Solomon's Temple and other ancient temples once stood. It remains an iconic destination that continues to draw pilgrims and travelers alike.

0.4 km away
Temple in Jerusalem

Temples & religious sites

Temple in Jerusalem

The site of the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, first built during the reign of King Solomon. It remains a historic site that has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over the centuries.

0.4 km away