A remarkable ancient complex of ritual baths, likely used by Jewish pilgrims before entering the Temple in Jerusalem, has been uncovered near the foot of the Temple Mount. Dating back to the late Second Temple period (first century BCE to 70 CE), the site includes three large ritual baths (known as mikva'ot), a grand plastered pool, a paved plaza, and an advanced water system. One of the ritual baths has been preserved in its full height, including a vaulted stone ceiling, making it an exceptionally rare example of a Second Temple-period structure in Jerusalem. The discovery was made in the Ophel, an area just south of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, near the "Triple Gate," which was one of the main entrances to the Temple Mount. The excavation, led by professors Uzi Leibner and Orit Peleg-Barkat from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology, uncovered a complex that was likely designed to accommodate the large numbers of pilgrims who visited the Temple. At the center of the site is a large plastered pool, approximately 12 by 9.5 meters (39 by 31 feet), with steps descending from all four sides. Northwest of the pool stands a finely constructed ashlar structure with four rooms, three of which were identified as large public ritual baths. The entire complex spans about 280 square meters (3,000 square feet), highlighting its significance and scale. One of the most notable finds is a vaulted ritual bath that has been preserved in its full height of 4.2 meters (14 feet), including the stone vault and the water shaft that supplied it. This level of preservation is extremely rare in Jerusalem, especially in such a historically significant location. Two of the ritual baths also feature carefully carved stone steps, while a paved forecourt lies between the large pool and the ashlar structure. The excavation team described the site as “truly unparalleled,” emphasizing its importance in understanding the rituals and infrastructure that supported pilgrims visiting the Temple. Beneath the complex, archaeologists found evidence of an earlier public purification facility, suggesting that the area has been used for ritual purification for a longer period than previously thought. The site was also affected by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE during the Roman siege, as evidenced by coins from the First Revolt found among the ruins. The discovery was made over five seasons of excavation, conducted in cooperation with the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology and taking place within Jerusalem Walls National Park. This find offers new insights into the daily life, religious practices, and infrastructure that supported the pilgrimage to the Temple in ancient times.