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Sightseeing in Jerusalem, Israel


03/08/2019

The city of Jerusalem has existed for over 3,000 years. It was first established as the site of an important Jewish temple.Since then, Jews, Christians and Muslims have all attempted to stake their claim to this holiest of cities.


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Most of the sightseeing attractions in Jerusalem lie in the Old City along the eastern boundary of town.

The Old City is divided into Arab, Jewish, Christian and Armenian quarters. Visitors can stroll along these medieval streets, transitioning between major religious icons in a matter of minutes.

Western Wall

According to iExplore, the Western Wall is Judaism's most revered place of prayer. Located at the base of the Temple Mount in the Old City, the Western Wall is all that survives of the Jewish temple constructed here in Biblical times.

The Romans destroyed the rest in 70 A.D. Also known as the Wailing Wall, this attraction serves as an important place of congregation.

Jews come to pray and chant before the golden walls, and visitors often leave flowers and written messages in the little cracks of the wall as a gesture of goodwill and faith. Men and women must go to different sections of the wall.

Men have to cover their heads, and women should dress modestly to be allowed entrance. Tourists can also arrange for a tour of the recently renovated tunnels along the wall by contacting the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation Haomer 2 street, Old City Jerusalem, Israel +972-2-627-1333 english.thekotel.org

Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre are among the most important sites in the world for Orthodox and Catholic Christians.

The Via Dolorosa leads along the route Jesus walked while carrying his cross to the crucifixion. It ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church was built over the supposed site of Jesus' crucifixion and tomb.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has served as a holy pilgrimage destination since the fourth century A.D. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Christian Quarter Road, Old City Jerusalem, Israel +972-2-627-3314

Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock on Jerusalem's Temple Mount stands out as one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The golden roof of this seventh-century shrine glimmers in the sunlight and is visible from almost all points in the Old City.

The sacred rock of the Temple Mount over which the shrine was constructed has been revered as a holy site for millennia. Long before the Muslims embraced it, this rock was believed to be the Biblical site where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son, Isaac.

The Dome of the Rock also covers the foundations of what used to be Solomon's Temple and later the second Temple of Herod. Islam contends the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven from this site as well. According to Sacred Destinations, the Dome of the Rock is the oldest Islamic monument in the world.

Tower of David

The Tower of David looms over Jerusalem, rising from the walls of the Old City. This ancient citadel actually has nothing to do with King David, the founder of Jerusalem. Herod the Great had it built as a defensive structure in the first century B.C.

The tower has undergone several renovations and now features mostly medieval architecture. Visitors can go up inside the Phasael, the citadel's tallest tower.

The climb is well worth it, as the observation deck at the top affords panoramic views of the Old City. Tower of David Jaffa Gate (Old City) Jerusalem, Israel +972-2-626-5333 towerofdavid.org.il

Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is a sprawling series of hills to the east of the Temple Mount. The area has religious significance for Christians.

The Mount of Olives is home to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus came after the Last Supper to pray. According to the Bible, it was here he was arrested to be taken to the city for trial.

Hike through the Garden of Gethsemane and up to the summit of the Mount of Olives for sweeping views of Jerusalem.