Jerusalem. What to see?

Everyone calls it differently: some call it the “golden city,” others call it the “city of hatred,” and some refer to it as the “city of three religions.” It is also known as the mad city, the gates of paradise, a living history, and so on. And all of this refers to Jerusalem! It is impossible to imagine that it is lifeless. Jerusalem is truly an animate entity, infused with the spirits of thousands and millions of souls who have left behind their love and hatred, their lives and destinies, their supplications to the Almighty.

A BIT OF HISTORY

This city is at least 6 thousand years old, which in itself is of historical interest for any educated person. The population for 2023 of 950,000,000,000 inhabitants is almost impossible – everyone lives here. The city is located in the Judean Mountains between the Dead and Mediterranean Seas at an altitude of approximately 650 to 840 m above sea level.

From the 11th century BC, the city became a victim of the Israeli kingdom. From the beginning of our era, the city came under the rule of Byzantium, Crusaders, Mamluk Turks, Persians, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs. In 1538, protective walls were erected around the city (under Suleiman the Magnificent). The walls remained the boundaries of the old city until the sports day. In 1981, the Old City became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed as a World Heritage in Danger. Since the 19th century, it has been known that the Old City is divided into 4 quarters: Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim. The entire old city is located on just one square kilometer. From the 1850s, the first settlements appeared outside the old city, which became known as the New City. That is what it is called today.

Jerusalem is a city of three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam. Believers of each religion have their main holy sites in Jerusalem. The Jews have the Temple Mount and the Western Wall – a retaining wall left over from the second temple (the Wailing Wall, as the Russians and Poles call it), the Christians have the Temple Mount of the Lord and other churches built on the ground, the Muslims have mosques on the Temple Mount. Believers of all three religions lived in peace only during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent in time immemorial. In the modern world, to our greatest regret, they are unable to live peacefully. Clashes on religious grounds, especially between Jews and Muslims, are particularly common. The reasons for the conflicts lie in territorial claims, historical disagreements, and ideological perspectives. However, despite the dangerous confrontations and periodic acts of terrorism by radical Palestinian Islamists, people from all over the world travel to Jerusalem to pay homage to sacred sites, connect with world history, and walk upon hallowed ground.

MODERN JERUSALEM

Of course, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to visit Jerusalem on their own. Getting lost in this eternal city is as easy as pie! Honestly, it’s not a place for leisurely walks. The city is still divided into the Western and Eastern parts. Although Israelis and Palestinians consider the entire city as their own, the division is very clear. It is evident in the city’s development, population (the Eastern part is predominantly Arab), and standard of living, down to the different-colored buses—green buses operate in the Western part day and night, except on Shabbat, while white buses operate in the Eastern part, don’t run at night, but they run at Shabbat

I recommend coming with a guided tour or hiring a personal car with a guide to see everything you want without any rush and in safety. Besides the ancient holy sites, there is also modern Jerusalem. It would be great to see the building of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and maybe attend a session (you can watch through soundproof glass). Take a walk along Ben Yehuda Street, the Jerusalem Broadway, where you’ll find numerous fashionable boutiques, cafes, musicians, art salons, and other elements of modern cultural life. There’s also the String Bridge, Jerusalem Technology Park, Malha Shopping Center, Har Hotzvim High-Tech Park, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem founded in 1918 and ranked among the top 200 educational institutions in the world, the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum, the Bible Lands Museum, the Israel Museum, and much more. Of course, it’s not possible to see everything in Jerusalem in one day. It may take several days or you may have to limit yourself and make choices. And we’ll tell you a little more about what you can choose from.

TEMPLE MOUNT AND THE WESTERN WALL (WAILING WALL)

This is part of the ancient wall that remains from the Second Temple, rebuilt by Herod the Great and destroyed by the Roman Emperor Titus. The First Temple was built by King Solomon, the son of King David, and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. The Jewish people believe that when the Third Temple is built, the Messiah will come and the Temple will become a place of peace and enlightenment for all people. For now, there is a tradition of leaving notes with prayer requests to God at the Western Wall. Believers, tourists, and distinguished guests visiting the holy land come here. The place is always crowded, and sometimes you have to wait for an opportunity to approach the Wall. Women approach the right side of the Wall, while men approach the left side. All men are given free kippahs (head coverings) before approaching the Wall. Upon leaving the plaza in front of the Wall, there is an opportunity to wash hands in special basins with faucets.

Both the First and Second Temples stood on the Temple Mount, and the expectation for the appearance of the Third Temple remains. Herod once leveled the mountain to reconstruct the Second Temple, enclosing it with a retaining wall. The Temple Mount platform is approximately 480 meters long from north to south and about 300 meters wide from east to west. Its elevation is 740 meters above sea level. The stone masonry in the remnants of the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) is over two thousand years old. Currently, the Temple Mount is the third most significant Islamic holy site after Mecca and Medina. The Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are located on the mountain.

WESTERN WALL TUNNEL

Located to the left of the Western Wall, the tunnel is well-lit and offers guided tours. The tunnel houses remnants of an ancient water system (canal and pools), the 517-ton stone of the Western Wall, and a cavernous synagogue. Additionally, the tunnel preserves labyrinthine Roman streets dating back to the second to fourth centuries. It feels like stepping into the past through a time machine.

TOWER OF DAVID

The mighty citadel at Jaffa Gate was built by King Solomon around 3,000 years ago. Over the millennia, the fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, including by King Herod. The citadel was named the Tower of David by the Mamluks, who restored it once again. The oldest structure in the fortress that remains today is the Phasael Tower, dating back to the time of Herod. The Tower of David currently houses the Museum of the History of Jerusalem, featuring artifacts, the oldest of which is 2,700 years old. The inner courtyard has been transformed into an archaeological complex. And the most interesting part for tourists is the evening light and sound shows that depict great historical events.

JEWISH CEMETERY ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

The first graves appeared here in the 1st century BCE. The cemetery has since grown to include 150,000 graves. Dry soil and flat stone slabs characterize the cemetery’s appearance both now and three millennia ago. This place is sacred not only to Jews but also to Christians. According to legends, the resurrection of Christ took place here, the New Testament apostles visited here, the resurrection of Lazarus occurred here, and the road from Jericho passed through here. Tourists do not often visit this place. If you are interested in this site, it is best to include it in an individual tour.

BIBLICAL ZOO

It’s hard to believe that such a place exists, and where else could it be but in Jerusalem? On a 25-hectare site, you will see animals mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. Of course, the number of animal species has now increased to 250. Some of them are endangered species that have been preserved only in this biblical zoo. The mission of the organizers and zoo staff is to preserve and breed endangered species. The zoo has been in existence since 1940 but in its modern form since 1992. The grand opening for visitors took place in 1993. The zoo has two levels, its own system of ponds, waterfalls, and lakes where the water is replenished and reused. Visitors ride in special wagons. Currently, the zoo is home to African and Australian animals, birds and predators, lemurs and elephants, and many other species. There is also an aquarium with marine animals on the premises. In general, there are pairs of every creature. If you are traveling with children, this is a must-visit place for you, and even for adults, it will be interesting.

YAD VASHEM COMPLEX

I must warn you that children under 9 are not allowed in. This is a memorial complex commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, the Museum of the Catastrophe of the Jewish people. Six million people were shot, tortured, and burned to death – visiting the complex is a very heavy experience. In addition to the museum, the complex includes a library, a research institute, an archive, and an avenue of the Righteous, where the memory of every person who helped Jews during the Holocaust is honored. Admission is free.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

Perhaps the most important Christian shrine in Jerusalem. Not only tourists but also thousands of pilgrims come here to touch the Christian relics. The church is built directly on the Hill of Golgotha, the place of Christ’s crucifixion, part of which is visible inside the church. The tomb of Jesus and the Stone of Anointing are also located there. The place is always crowded with people. Be prepared for queues even to enter the church. We honestly do not recommend coming here during holy holidays because you won’t be able to see much. It’s best to plan your visit on weekdays to get a real sense of this unique place.

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Located at the foot of the western slope of the Mount of Olives. According to tradition, Jesus often came here with his apostles, and it was here that he prayed before his arrest. The garden now occupies an area of only 47 by 50 meters, but it used to cover the entire Gethsemane Valley. Several ancient olive trees still grow in this garden, and they continue to bear fruit. The age of the trees, determined by radiocarbon dating, is estimated to be from 1092. Isn’t it magical? The Gethsemane Valley is also home to several Christian holy sites: the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, and the Church of All Nations. In addition to being revered by Christians worldwide, these structures are also architectural masterpieces, making them of interest to people of any faith.

STREET OF “VIA DOLOROSA”

This is one of the streets along which Jesus was led to his execution. Tour guides usually show the entire path of carrying the cross with all the stops to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, that is, to Golgotha. Of course, both tourists and pilgrims need to understand that the streets where Jesus “walked” are figurative. Digging would be required to reach the authentic pavement several meters below. But the path itself leaves a very strong impression!

DOME OF THE ROCK MOSQUE

From any point in the Old City, you can see this twenty-meter-diameter dome shining in gold under the Jerusalem sun. The mosque itself is a work of architectural art. The walls and floor inside are adorned with marble, ceramic tiles, and mosaic ornamentation. Along the walls under the dome, there are two-story galleries with stained glass windows. The mosque now houses the Museum of Islamic Art and Muslim holy sites: the Foundation Stone and the Rock of Paradise. It is one of the oldest mosques, completed in 691 AD. When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem, they converted the mosque into a Christian church. Later, when the city was taken by Saladin, the Dome of the Rock became a mosque again. The image of this mosque is found on the seal of the Knights Templar.

AL-AQSA MOSQUE

Architecturally, this mosque is quite different from the Dome of the Rock. It has a relatively small gray-colored dome. However, it is a rare case where the dome is covered with lead plates. Inside, there are numerous columns connected by arches. The lower levels of the walls are adorned with white marble, while the upper levels have mosaics. This mosque was built in 705 AD and is the third holiest site of worship for Muslims, after Mecca and Medina. The mosque has been destroyed several times by earthquakes, but it has always been rebuilt. The mosque and the adjacent area can accommodate up to 400,000 worshipers for prayer.

DAMASCUS GATE

These gates are located in the northeast of Jerusalem and serve as an entrance to the Muslim quarter. The gates are considered one of the most beautiful in the world. They were built by order of Suleiman the Magnificent. Recently, special steps were added near the gates, allowing visitors to climb the towers with embrasures from both sides. All the structures of the walls around the Old City have had a defensive character since their construction.

CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS

This is a Catholic church built in the early 20th century with donations from Catholics from 12 countries. That’s why it has 12 domes and such a name. The altar of the church houses the stone on which, according to tradition, Jesus prayed on the last night in the Garden of Gethsemane. The church itself is located in the valley of the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. For now, I’ll stop listing the attractions of Jerusalem, as it would take more than an article to provide even a brief overview. I recommend once again not to travel on your own in Jerusalem but to book a car with an experienced driver and guide from our company. This will ensure your safety and allow you to see more of the attractions of the eternal city, Jerusalem.