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Kishle
קישלה
Interactive map of the Kishle area
Alternative names	Kishleh, Kishla, Qishla
Etymology	Turkish Kışla
General information
Location	Jerusalem
Coordinates	31°46′32″N 35°13′42″E / 31.77556°N 35.22833°E / 31.77556; 35.22833
Year built	1834

The Kishle^[a] (Hebrew: קישלה, Arabic: قشلة القدس, Turkish: Kışla) is a former prison and military base in Jerusalem. The building was constructed in 1834 by the Egyptian Eyalet as military barracks and later became a prison. The Kishle is today part of the Tower of David Museum.

The Kishle was constructed in 1834 by Ibrahim Pasha.^[1][2] Its original purpose was for winter military barracks.^[1][3] In 1841, control over the area was transferred to the Ottoman Empire.^[1]

During the British Mandate period, the Kishle was used as a prison. Many members of underground Israeli resistance movements were jailed there.^[4][1] Conditions in the prison were reportedly bad, with the prisoners "afraid to go out ... for a walk".^[b][5] Several of the imprisoned drew images into the walls of their cells, such as maps of "Greater Israel".^[2][6]

In 1948 the area of the Old City in East Jerusalem was handed over to Jordan. During this period, it continued to function as a prison.^[1]

The area was occupied by Israel in 1967 and the building came under control of the Kirya Police, which made it their headquarters.^[1][7] During this time, it still functioned as a prison.^[8] The prison was criticised in the 1990s for human rights abuses.^[9] As of January 2011^[update], the building still houses a Jerusalem police headquarters.^[2][10] The Kishle also contains a stable, which collapsed in 1984 but was rebuilt, as well as a synagogue and social hall.^[11][10] The building is now part of the Tower of David Museum and is open for public visits.^[4][2]

The architecture of the building is typical of Ottoman military architecture from the mid-19th century. The Kishle has thick limestone walls, vaulted ceilings, and a layout to accommodate both barracks and a prison. The building is also notable for its heavy use of masonry.^[1] A tunnel was built from the Kishle to outside of the city walls.^[12] The building's area is over 450 square metres and is 45 metres (150 feet) long.^[2][3]

The earliest ruins found under the Kishle are from the First Temple period.^[1] King Hezekiah built a wall near the building to protect against the invading Assyrians.^[12][13] Above these are walls from the Second Temple period, built by the Hasmoneans.^[1][14] Extensive buildings from King Herod's projects have also been found.^[1] King Herod may have even built his palace on the site.^[12][13]

During the Crusades, defences were built in the area that have now been incorporated into the modern city walls.^[1] Dying vats that are thought to have been used by Jews in the Middle Ages were also found at the Kishle.^[12][6]

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