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Jerusalem’s History

Jerusalem’s history stretches back about 5,000 years. About 2500 BC, the Canaanites inhabited the city. Later, Jerusalem became a Jebusite citadel. When DAVID captured the city (c.1000 BC), the Jebusites were absorbed into the Jewish people. David made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom, and SOLOMON built the first Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. In 586 BC, the Babylonian NEBUCHADNEZZAR II destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple and exiled the Jews to Babylonia.

Fifty years later (537 BC), CYRUS THE GREAT of Persia conquered Babylonia and permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Persia held the city until 333 BC, when ALEXANDER THE GREAT added Palestine to his empire. In 323 BC, PTOLEMY I of Egypt took Palestine into his kingdom.

About 198 BC, the Seleucid king ANTIOCHUS III conquered Judaea (of which Jerusalem was a part), making it tributary to Syria. The Jews later revolted under the leadership of Maccabees and defeated the Syrians. The Temple was reconsecrated in 165 BC, and the Maccabean, or Hasmonean, dynasty ruled until Rome took the city in 63 BC.

The Romans set up a local dynasty, the house of Herod, to rule most of Palestine; Herod the Great (r. 40-4 BC) rebuilt much of Jerusalem, including the Temple. Roman governors, however, retained ultimate control; one of them, Pontius Pilate, authorized the execution of Jesus Christ. While suppressing a major Jewish revolt, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70. In 135, after the failure of the BAR KOCHBA revolt, Jews were banished from Jerusalem. From the early 4th century, when Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire, Jerusalem developed as a center of Christian pilgrimage.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher and many other Christian shrines were erected. Except for a brief period of Persian rule (614-28) the city remained under Roman (later, Byzantine) control until 638, when the Muslim Arabs took Jerusalem. The Arabs built (688-91) the Dome of the Rock mosque on the site of the Temple.

In the 11th century, Muslim toleration of both Jews and Christians gave way to persecution under the FATIMID caliph al-Hakim (r. 996-1021) and under the SELJUKS, who seized Jerusalem in 1071. European Christendom responded by launching the CRUSADES. The Crusaders conquered Jerusalem in 1099 and established a Crusader state. SALADIN recaptured the city for the Muslims in 1187, and the Ayyubid and Mameluke dynasties ruled until 1517, when the Ottoman Empire took control.

In 1917 the British occupied Jerusalem, and it became the capital of mandated PALESTINE from 1923 until 1948. During this period the city saw Arab rioting against the Jews. The 1948 United Nations partition plan for Palestine called for internationalization of the city. The Arabs rejected this resolution, and, from 1949, Jerusalem was divided into an Israeli and a Jordanian sector. The city remained divided until 1967, when Israel took the entire city following the Six Day War. The city is reunited today under Israeli government, which guarantees religious freedom and protection of all holy places.

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Mamilla mall, Jerusalem

The first of July has arrived, the day that symbolizes more than anything the opening cheer of the great freedom and it seems that there is no escape and the mall will become the hot arena of events for the coming months of freedom for our good. And if you already have a shopping experience, it is especially recommended to visit the Sderot Mamilla mall, Jerusalem, the city where those who do not live or were born in it always feel a bit like a tourist. The mall is located in front of the Jaffa Gate, part of the prestigious district overlooking the Old City, Jerusalem. Mamilla Mall is an "open mall" built as an avenue that preserves the architectural heritage of the past combined with an addictive and up-to-date shopping experience. The mall has 120 national chains and select stores of local and international brands, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The mall has an indoor hall where various shows, games and activities for children are held from time to time. Among the large variety of stores: Mango, MAC, Castro, Steimatzky, e. Stern, BEBE, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Top Shop, and many more goodies! Among the international luxury stores that have recently made an ascent to the Holy City, you will find the flagship store of the prestigious ROLEX SHOW brand, instead of a significant selection of other luxury brands such as Gucci, Radu, Lacroix, Omega and many more. The Nike store is designed in a European style that holds unique and exclusive models. The only CROCS brand store in Jerusalem, THE NORTH FACE - one of the world's leading brands in the field of outdoor activities, cycling clothing, ski clothing and various accessories. At the end of the boulevard is the prestigious Mamilla Hotel with a view of the city walls.

Burnt House in Wohl Archaeological Museum Jerusalem

The Burnt House is an excavated house situated six meters below current street level, The house is dated to the Second Temple period located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and is believed to have been set on fire during the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The Burnt House is a magnificent structure, located some six meters underground, found during excavations of the “Upper City.” It is named so because it serves as a unique testimony to the destruction of Jerusalem during the first century, and the fire set by the Romans. Archaeologists at the site discovered stone tablets, grindstones and ovens, large pitchers, bowls and measuring cups, and researchers believe that there was a perfume workshop at the site. Apparently the house was burned during the Roman conquest of the “Upper City” , in the large fire that also engulfed the Temple. The structure is also called Kathros House because of an inscription found at the site. The Kathros family was one of four priestly families that abused their positions.

The Temple Institute's Holy Temple Museum

The Temple Institute's Holy Temple Museum is a museum about the Temple-ready sacred vessels created by the Institute, the garments of the High Priest, oil-paintings depicting aspects of the Divine service of the Holy Temple, and a model of the Holy Temple Complex. The museum also includes a spacious gift shop. Location: 40 Misgav Ladach St., Jewish Quarter (Directly above the Yehudah HaLevi stairs which lead from the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall Plaza.)

Jerusalem - one of a kind