Eilat Lieber, director and chief curator of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, shared insights this week into the work of making the citadel, which dates to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, an accessible space.
She also provided a preview of the Global Conference on Accessibility in Historic Sites and Cities, scheduled for Dec. 3–5 in Jerusalem’s Old City and online.
“During the complete renewal of the Tower of David Museum, we faced an extraordinary challenge: making an ancient, intact citadel—designed centuries ago to protect Jerusalem—accessible to all,” Lieber told reporters on Tuesday, ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3. “This required balancing the integrity of the site’s heritage with innovative, inclusive design.”
The citadel presented many obstacles including narrow passages, steep staircases and uneven terrain. Lieber emphasized the absence of a roadmap for such a project: “We had no guidebook. We had to innovate through collaboration, bringing together archaeologists, architects, preservationists and designers. The result? Elevators, ramps and widened pathways transformed the fortress into a space welcoming to almost everyone—for the first time in over a millennium.”
Preservation meets progress
Amit Re’em, Jerusalem regional archaeologist for the Israel Antiquities Authority, highlighted the meticulous care required.
“Every inch of the citadel is steeped in archaeological significance, making alterations a complex process. Yet, through resourceful planning, we created accessible paths while preserving the site’s historical integrity. Visitors with disabilities can now explore different levels of the citadel, touch its ancient stones, and immerse themselves in its history,” Re’em said.
Accessibility measures extend beyond mobility solutions. The museum developed audio guides tailored for the neurodiverse community, sensory aids, and Israel’s first visual guided tour app featuring sign language.
Sign language advocacy
Former MK Shirly Pinto Kadosh, Israel’s first deaf member of Knesset and a prominent sign language advocate, celebrated the transformation.
“This marks a historic step toward full and equal integration of all populations into society, granting them access to culture and heritage,” she said via a sign language interpreter during the event. Pinto Kadosh noted the creation of new sign language terms for historical and religious concepts, bridging accessibility gaps for deaf visitors.
Technological innovations
Ohad Berman, CEO of the Mehalev group and Step-Hear Ltd., underscored the role of technology in the project. “The Step-Hear system, installed at the Tower of David and across the Old City, empowers blind and visually impaired individuals to navigate these historic spaces independently. This Israeli innovation enhances mobility and ensures equal opportunities for all visitors.”
While challenges remain, such as navigating cobblestone paths in wheelchairs, the integration of audio guidance and smart technology marks a significant leap forward.
The accessibility advancements were made possible by the $50 million renewal project of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, led by Dame Vivien Duffield and the Clore Israel Foundation. The initiative aims to demonstrate that even the most historically significant locations can be made inclusive.
On Dec. 4-5, 25 experts from 12 countries will speak in English at the online Global Conference, hosted by the Tower of David Museum.
On Dec. 3, the museum will hold an in-person conference day and tours in Hebrew, with guided tours, talks by experts in architecture and archaeology, and information on new accessibility routes in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The tours will focus on physical upgrades and content development to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.
