Pool of Bethesda Archaeological Site

The Pool of Bethesda is an archaeological and biblical site in Jerusalem associated in the Gospel of John with a pool where healings took place. Excavations uncovered a complex of bath and pool basins and the remains of a later Byzantine church that commemorated the site.

Visible features include the stepped pool structures and remains of surrounding buildings that developed over successive periods from the Hellenistic-Roman era through Byzantine and Crusader usage. The site is adjacent to the 12th-century Church of St. Anne and lies within the northern sector of the walled Old City.

Historically the site is referenced in the New Testament and later became the focus of Christian veneration; archaeological work in the 19th and 20th centuries clarified the sequence of pools and associated structures. The location has been preserved as an archaeological monument and visitor site.

The Pool of Bethesda is located in Jerusalem’s Old City near the Via Dolorosa and the Lions’ Gate area, within walking distance of other major Old City landmarks and religious sites.

• Archaeology: Archaeological excavations have revealed multiple pool basins and adjacent structures spanning Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Crusader periods.

The Pool of Bethesda is inside Jerusalem’s Old City next to St Anne’s Church, by Lions’ Gate. Enter the Old City via Lions’ Gate and the site is a very short walk from the gate; from Damascus Gate expect about a 5-10 minute walk. The Old City is best reached on foot from nearby bus or railway stops outside the walls or by taxi; many Jerusalem buses stop near the Old City entrances.

• Enter the site via the courtyard of St. Anne's Church (near the Lions' Gate) - the church entrance provides direct access to the archaeological remains of the Pool of Bethesda and is the most straightforward approach.
• Plan a morning visit to avoid the midday tour groups and to see the ruins in cooler, quieter conditions; St. Anne's has defined opening hours so check them in advance.
• Take time to view the excavated Roman/Byzantine paving and the vaulted arcade remains adjacent to the pool - these archaeological features are easy to miss if you only glance at the surface.