In the basin of the Sultan there is no water, it has long been not no swimming pool, just a large open space in the valley of Hinnom, to the west of Mount Zion. For hundreds of years it has been the reservoir - not a place for swimming and one of the most important elements of the water system in Jerusalem. Now there are concerts in the open air.

The site, which lies in a valley, is quite large: its length of 170 meters, width - 67, depth - more than 10. A former swimming pool is oval elongated form, and it is not without reason - probably during the time of the Second Temple, there was a hippodrome. Josephus wrote about the great amphitheater that Herod the Great built on the plain. Apparently even then the amphitheater was surrounded by aqueducts: Herod built an entire system of aqueducts and reservoirs that supply water to the city and the Temple. Water with a total length of 23 kilometers has elevation changes of up to 32 meters and poured water to the Temple to the height of 735 meters.

The exact date of the appearance of the reservoir is unknown, but it already existed in the Byzantine era. The Crusaders called it "Hermanus". In the XIV century Mamluk sultan Barquq rebuilt the dam in the south-east side and in the XV century, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent completed the modernization of the pond. In honor of the rulers and the place is known as the Sultan Pool.

Space looks austere and fascinating sand, stones, surrounded by ancient walls, a little greenery. On the western slope is Mishkenot Sha'ananim - the first area of ​​Jerusalem built outside the old city walls (it happened in 1860 at the initiative of the British financier Moshe Montifiori). From all sides of the pool you can see part of the Sultan of the aqueduct itself. Most likely, they will become museum exhibits, which will be built on this territory.

On the south side, on the Hebron road (where it is the former dam passes over the valley of Hinnom), it is an interesting architectural and historical monument - Sebil construction of the XVI century. Such sebili (public drinking fountains) were built in Jerusalem, under Suleiman the Great, which confirms the inscription on the fountain that says: great sultan Suleyman ordered to build this place for a drink. Also Sebil on Hebron road, the city survived a few more.

Scaffolding and structures in the basin of the Sultan should not be surprising - it's part of the equipment used for cultural events. Here, almost under the walls of the Old City, are the film and opera festivals, shows, concerts. On this unique site were Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen. If tourists are lucky to get here for a concert, he will appreciate how unusual perceived music in the open air, in the ancient land, where everything breathes history.