Silwan
Geographically, Silwan is the village closest to the Old City of Jerusalem. It is home to the Ein Silwan (Silwan Spring), which was previously considered the primary water source for the city.
Situated south of the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem, Silwan is sometimes referred to as the "southern safeguard of al-Aqsa Mosque" due to its proximity. One of Silwan's neighborhoods, Wadi Hilweh, is located only 300 meters from the southern wall of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The people of Silwan frequently walk to the mosque for the Friday prayers.
Silwan is bordered by several other neighborhoods - Nabi Daoud and al-Thori to the west, the western lands of al-Sawahrah al-Gharbiyah, Jabal al-Mukaber and Sur Baher to the south, and Abu Dis, al-Ezariyah and al-Tur to the east. To the north, it is bounded by the Old City and the al-Aqsa Mosque. The name "Silwan" is derived from the natural pool and spring known as "Siloam."
Historically, Silwan is deeply rooted in the origins of the city of Jerusalem. It is believed that the core of Canaanite Jerusalem first developed in this area. The history of Silwan dates back to the Canaanite era, when it is believed to have been the original site of Jerusalem, built around 4000 BC by the Jebusites. They utilized the Ein Silwan spring as the city's primary water source and constructed intricate rock-cut water channels, some of which remain visible today.
Ein Silwan
Located on the southern edge of Tel al-Duhur in Silwan, Ain Umm al-Darj, also known as Ain Sitna Maryam, has been a crucial water source for Jerusalem since ancient times. The Canaanites, during times of siege, ingeniously dug a tunnel through the rock of this hill to access water from the spring. This tunnel is now known as Warren's Tunnel, named after its English discoverer.
A few meters from the spring is the Pool of Silwan, a significant site in Christian tradition. It is believed that Jesus Christ restored the sight of a blind man after he bathed in this pool.