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Discovering Abu Gosh: A Historic Village of Hummus, Music and Monasteries

Abu Gosh is a lovely, picturesque village located in the Judean Hills, off a winding road between Tel Avi and Jerusalem, dating back some 6,000 years. The village is situated on a mountainside and serves as a tourist attraction, drawing in many visitors.

The village is particularly famous for its hummus restaurants. You may not reach the original Abu Shukri restaurant, but there are many restaurants serving authentic and particularly tasty food throughout the village, at affordable prices. Aside from the famous restaurants, twice a year – during Sukkot and Shavuot – the village holds a vocal music festival. The festival hosts choirs from across the country and around the world, which perform in the village’s monasteries. The village has a number of guest houses, gift shops, candle shops and glassware stores. The atmosphere in the village is unique, as it serves as a meeting point for the three religions: Jewish Israelis and tourists from around the world visit the Muslim village in order to hear music at a Christian church.

During Biblical times the village was called Kiryat Ye’arim. The Ark of the Covenant was placed there and it was a site for religious rituals. Later, during the Byzantine period, a church was built on the highest point in the village. This church was destroyed during the Persian occupation, and The Church of Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant – which features a large statue of the Virgin Mary – was built on its ruins. These days, nuns live in the church and twice a year, during Sukkot and Shavuot, it hosts choirs from across Israel and around the world during the vocal music festival.

According to Christian belief, Abu Gosh is where Jesus appeared following his resurrection. During the Crusader period a church and stunning monastery were built in the village, which have been preserved to this day. The Benedictine Monastery is surrounded by a huge, lovely garden with ancient olive trees, an orchard and grapevines. The monastery’s interior walls feature frescos that were drawn during the thirteenth century, and a spring flows from the monastery’s crypt. The site also houses a ceramics and candle factory, operated by the monks. Six daily prayer sessions are held at the monastery, from 5:30 A.M.-8:30 P.M., and visitors are encouraged to visit during one of the sessions, for the unique opportunity to hear prayer songs performed in an 800-year-old church.

Monastery Visiting Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday: 8:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.

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La Regence Restaurant at the King David Hotel

About La Regence - at the King David hotel Jerusalem At Le Regence Restaurant, the finest ingredients, innovative cooking methods, and precision execution based on classical cooking combine to create a contemporary, fine, surprising, and kosher Israeli cuisine. The kitchen is both avant-garde and simple; rooted in his country, but addressing an international audience at the same time. Using flavors, textures, temperatures, colors, shapes, and aromas, the dishes create an exciting sensation that pleases all senses. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Le Regence and giving you a special, pleasant, and exciting experience. It was a fun and unforgettable culinary experience. Our kitchen In Le Regence Restaurant, Israeli cuisine is refined and contemporary. At the same time avant-garde and simple, it addresses an international audience while being rooted in its country. A sensory experience involving flavors, textures, temperatures, colors, shapes, and aromas stimulates all five senses at once. Please let us know when you are available so we can give you a special, pleasant and exciting experience at Le Regence. Culinary experience that is fun and unforgettable. Local, seasonal, and fresh products are at the forefront of the chef's menu. The foundation of a beautifully executed virtuoso work of art is the artist's passion, imagination and creativity, as well as his endless curiosity and constant search for knowledge. Le Regence Restaurant invites you into a magical and enchanting world. Address: King David St 23, Jerusalem Phone: 02-620-8888

Chakra restaurant Jerusalem - Mediterranean fusion style

Experience a lively and inviting atmosphere at Chakra Restaurant, a non-kosher establishment in Jerusalem that has been a staple of the city's food and nightlife scene since 2000. Nestled near the Independence Garden, this restaurant boasts exceptional service, contemporary cuisine, and a charming pastoral ambiance. Their Mediterranean fusion menu offers a diverse array of dishes, from succulent jumbo shrimp to mouth-watering cheeseburgers, all prepared with accurate execution and served by friendly staff. With a daily-changing menu of fresh ingredients, guests can indulge in a variety of seafood, meats, and specialty dishes. During the summer evenings, visitors can bask in the warm breeze and take in the stunning views of the city garden from the outdoor seating area. Come see for yourself why Chakra Restaurant is a must-visit destination for those seeking a delightful dining experience in Jerusalem.

A new Isrotel hotel in Jerusalem will open in 2024

A new Isrotel hotel in Jerusalem will open in 2024 at Zion Square, Jerusalem and will offer 250 rooms! The new hotel that the Isrotel chain is building in Zion Square in Jerusalem will be built on the basis of two buildings for preservation, on which an addition of four new floors will be built. The buildings will be connected by an overhead bridge, the first of its kind in the city. The bridge, which has a glass floor, will be used as a dining area and lobby and will allow a panoramic view towards Zion Square, the pedestrian street and Jaffa Street. The hotel is in the urban center of Jerusalem, close to the light rail and the centers of history, culture and lively entertainment. The hotel has a swimming pool on the roof, a conference hall and meeting rooms, restaurants and an adjacent parking lot. There is no doubt that there is something new in Jerusalem, the city is getting a boost in the field of transportation with a fast train from Tel Aviv and many infrastructures that have been improved and also new hotels that will open soon. There is something to look forward to.

Jerusalem - one of a kind

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