The Pools, by whomsoever constructed, are certainly of great antiquity, and of excellent workmanship. They are still in remarkably good preservation, and could easily be put into perfect order. Their construction at this spot is doubtless due to the existence of a fine spring of water, which is still utilised for the supply of Bethlehem, to which place it is conducted by a culvert which runs along the side of the valley with a gradual downward slope. On descending the hill by the large Turkish castle which has been built close to the upper pool, the unusual sound of running and falling water saluted our ears. The spring rises in the limestone hills above the pool to the northwards and enters the pool by an underground culvert which may be examined by means of a ladder giving access thereto a few feet below the surface. The aqueduct was repaired and lined with pipes by the Crusaders, after which it again fell into ruin, but was opened and explored by Colonels Wilson and Warren. There is a fall of about 400 feet towards Jerusalem.[1] On our way down the valley towards Bethlehem, we noticed ancient terraces which had doubtless once been fruitful vineyards or olive-yards; and on turning the angle of the valley towards the left, we beheld at our feet "the Gardens of Solomon," neatly laid out over the bed of the valley, and extending, according to Canon Tristram, for more than two miles in all, from the little village of Urtas. This spot was first reclaimed and cultivated about thirty years ago by Mr. Meshullam, a converted Jew, who settled down here with the object of proving that the land if cultivated was capable of producing a rich return to the cultivator. Soon after some fellahin followed and settled by his side; Germans followed, and patch after patch was brought under culture, and now the whole valley has been converted into a series of well-tilled gardens, producing vegetables for the Jerusalem market, besides numerous fruit trees, such as those of the apricot, peach, almond, fig, and pomegranate. The hillsides are also being banked up into terraces for the growth of vines and olive-trees. It can scarcely be denied, after viewing the pretty picture of a garden valley, that Meshullam has succeeded in demonstrating that the vales of Palestine are capable of becoming as fruitful as in former ages, if only persevering industry be applied to the work of reclamation.
Following a pathway, along which the aqueduct is carried, we turned another angle of the valley, and came in sight of Bethlehem as seen from the south; the City of David and the birthplace of the Messiah.
- ↑ The dimensions of these pools are given by Tristram and Baedeker.
