The Tower Of David Goes Digital For Tourists

The Tower of David is one of Jerusalem’s most famous landmarks. Located at the Jaffa Gate just inside the Old City of Jerusalem, the Tower offers a glimpse into Jerusalem’s ancient history. Starting this month, the Tower will now be able to offer access to ancient history using some of Israel’s most modern & advanced technology – TODigital.

In my role as a blogger at Fun In Jerusalem and also as a mother looking for new ways to entertain my kids, I knew I had to see what this was all about. I visited the Tower of David and got to see first hand how these new forms of technology are bringing a national landmark alive and relevant to modern tourists. All of the “edutainment” technologies mentioned below, were created in Israel, while all of the content was provided by the Tower of David Educational Department.

The following is a guide to the new ways you can explore the Tower of David. Not only will the tour be interactive and fun, but tourists will want to revisit the site multiple times in order to use all of the special new technology.

“Swipe the Citadel”
Rent your special ipad (aka iResearcher) at the main ticket counter and head into the Tower of David to help the lead archaeologist find his missing daughter. You will need to use clues and solve missions using the ipad and the information in the exhibits to find her.

The game uses video, animation and hidden clues within the exhibit to take you through the Tower. It is ideal for families and groups of up to 6 people. If you are part of a larger group or your kids tend to fight over the ipad, then make sure to rent multiple ipads.
Location: The game takes you throughout the Tower of David complex.
Ages: 7-12
Price: 25 NIS
Languages: Hebrew and English (launching March 2015)
Technology Created By: Gamers TV

Quesity
“Whose Tower Is It?”
To answer this question you will need to download the Quesity app which will take you on an adventure, where you will be searching for clues and solving missions in this ancient Citadel.

The game can be played on your own smartphone or tablet and is a great way for parents to guide their kids around the exhibits in an interactive way.

Location: the app takes you through the Citadel Museum and outdoor exhibits
Ages: 4-10
Price: 10 NIS
Language: Hebrew, English, French
Technology Created By: Quesity

QR Kids Treasure Hunt
Using your own smartphone and a QR scanning app you will be guided around the Tower using clues and missions. Discover secret passageways to the Citadel. Each stop on the game requires you to scan a new colored QR code to receive your next clue.

Location: The game takes you throughout the Tower of David complex.
Ages: 7-12
Price: included in admission
Languages: Hebrew and English
Technology Created By: Information Systems

Augmentiguide
Rent a special tablet at the ticket office and then begin to climb up to the top of the Phasael Tower, where you can experience an interactive 360 degree view of the city.

Have you ever wondered what you are looking at? Using the special tablets loaded with augmented reality, you will be able to hear audio or read descriptions about each of the buildings marked on your picture. You can decide to face the Old City or the New City.

This precise augmented reality technology is the first of it’s kind in Israel.

Location: the top of the Phasael Tower on the rooftop.
Ages: Whole family
Price: 15 NIS
Language: Hebrew & English (French, German, Russian and Spanish coming soon)
Technology Created By: enviewz

Outdoor Video – Herod’ Pools
Embedded into the wall above Herod’s pool in the area known as the Moat, you will find a new form of video screen technology. 3D images are screened in the daylight and visitors are given the opportunity to see renderings of what used to be part of Herod’s ancient pools. You do not need to imagine anymore what was there, when you can see a video showing you the palace and the pools built over 2000 years ago.

I had the unique opportunity to meet Renee one of the original archeologists who discovered the pools and who worked with the staff of the Digital Media department to create this amazing new video based on her research and archaeological findings.

Location: The Moat
Ages: Whole Family
Price: included in admission
Languages: Visual
Technology Created By: Dagan

QR Enhanced Tour
Are you interested in taking your own tour of the Citadel at your own pace? Walk from exhibit to exhibit using QR codes that enable you to receive enhanced information on your smartphone about the site including extra pictures & videos from the archives.

It is like walking around the museum with your own archive librarian.

Location: takes you throughout the Tower of David complex.
Ages: Whole Family
Price: included in admission
Languages: Hebrew and English
Technology Created By: Information Systems

Congratulations to the staff at the Tower of David especially Eynat Sharon, the head of Digital Media for bringing these amazing new technologies to Jerusalem, to be showcased in one of Israel’s most visited tourist locations.

Book your next family tour at the Tower of David.