The Holiest City on Earth
Surrounded by glorious walls, the Old City of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim
in Hebrew, El-Quds in Arabic) is the highlight of the city, and the
actual place where the mythologies of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
occurred.
Within its lively narrow alleys and colorful markets lie the major
historical and religious sites of the world's three main religions,
revealing the ancient history from the times of King David, Jesus
Christ and Prophet Muhammad.
It is the Dome of the Rock at the
Temple Mount, the third holiest Muslim site, from where Muhammad is
said to have ascended to heaven on his Night Journey.
The same spot, known as Mount Moriah, is where God tested Abraham
by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, and on which King Solomon
chose to build the First Temple. This is where the Western
Wall, last remains of the Second Temple and most sacred Jewish
site in the world, stands today.
Not far from there lies the holiest Christian site, the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre, held to be the location of Jesus' crucifixion,
burial and resurrection.
The Old City is divided into four quarters - the Jewish
Quarter, the Christian Quarter,
the Muslim Quarter and the Armenian
Quarter - each one comprises its own special shrines. Walking
around the streets of the Old City you will not see any distinct separation
between the four parts, but you might notice the cultural and architectural
differences between them.
Detailed map of Jerusalem
