Israel Hotels

Enjoy Israel

The Holy sites of Jerusalem

Jerusalem travel guide

Being the most important city for all major religions, the old city of Jerusalem is probably the most fascinating trip you can make while visiting Israel. The history of Jerusalem combines some of the most important events in Jewish and Christian history alike, and the religious sites spread throughout the city capture the imagination of each and every visitor.

The Wailing Wall (the Western Wall) is the first stop for Jewish travelers in the old city of Jerusalem. It is the only remaining part of the ancient temple of King Solomon which has become the holiest spot in Jewish life and an Israeli national symbol as well. The Wailing Wall is where Jewish worshipers pray in a designated area in front of the holy site; mourn over the destruction of the Temple by the Romans, and wish for the return of Israel’s former glory. They also write their personal requests from G-d and post it in little notes between the wall’s ancient stones.

Mount Zion is another Jewish and Christian holy site you wouldn’t want to miss. According to Jewish tradition, Mount Zion is the burial place of King David. Today, it is one of the most popular Jewish burial sites in Jerusalem. Mount Zion is very significant for Christians as well: according to Christian belief, it is where the last supper was held, in the building identified as the Coenaculum, which is also where Jesus reappeared after his resurrection. According to Christianity, in this area of the city the disciples and early Christians were living at the time. Beyond its history, Mount Zion offers some spectacular views of the old city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem’s vicinity offers several other significant sites for Christian visitors: the nearby Bethlehem, where Jesus was born; the Mount of Olives, where he ascended to heaven, according to Christianity; and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is the first among the Christian shrines in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the resurrection has been celebrated for many centuries as the most sacred place in all of Christendom. Plus there is the Via Dolorosa, the holiest Christian thoroughfare in the world: This path is symbolically reliving the events of the passion, and includes the shrine of the ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane and Mount Zion.

The holy sites of the old city of Jerusalem have defined its nature for thousands of years and still reflect its remarkable history and significance. Visiting some of these sites and wondering through the streets and markets of the old city is an experience you will carry with you for many years after visiting one of the most special cities in the entire world.

Israel's favorite Jerusalem - More options:

Exploring the Ancient Herodian Quarter of Jerusalem

There is no other city in the world quite like Jerusalem. This city is so much more than a physical location; it is full of historical and spiritual significance. One of the most remarkable places to explore in Jerusalem is the Herodian Quarter, which dates back over 2000 years and still retains its original architecture from when it was first built. Let's take a journey through this ancient quarter and learn about its fascinating history. The History of the Herodian Quarter The Herodian Quarter was built during the reign of King Herod (37 BCE to 4 BCE). The quarter was located outside the walls of what was then known as the Old City, near today's Damascus Gate entrance. It was intended as a place for wealthy residents to live and enjoy luxurious amenities such as private gardens, public baths, palaces, and temples. The beautiful mosaics that remain today are testament to how impressive this area once was. The quarters were destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE in response to Jewish revolts against their rule. The stones from the quarter were used to build new structures elsewhere in the city. In recent times, however, archaeologists have uncovered some of these ancient stones and put them back together again to give us an insight into what life must have been like during King Herod’s reign. Today’s Visitors Experience - At the moment it is closed for renovations! Today, visitors can explore this ancient site by taking guided tours or simply wandering through on their own accord. The ruins are surrounded by modern-day shops and restaurants which give visitors a unique glimpse into how this part of town has evolved over time. You can also take a trip up onto one of the many hilltops where you will get stunning views over Jerusalem’s rooftops - perfect for those looking for an unforgettable photo opportunity! The Herodian Quarter is an incredible place full of history and culture which offers something special for all kinds of visitors. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or just want to soak up some atmosphere, exploring this unique part of Jerusalem could be right up your street! So come along and experience first-hand what life must have been like hundreds of years ago during King Herod’s reign!

Israel Museum, Jerusalem – Buy tickets online

Since its establishment in 1965, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem has become one of the leading institutions in Israel and one of the most important and comprehensive museums in the world. The museum features upwards of 500,000 artistic and archaeological exhibits, including the world’s leading collection on archaeology from the Holy Land, Judaica and Jewish ethnography, and works of art ranging from classical to modern. The collections represent the rich history of human culture, dating back almost one million years, through modern times. The Israel Museum offers a wide range of fascinating exhibits, activities for the entire family and special events at the Shrine of the Book, a model of Jerusalem’s Second Temple, activities in the Youth Department and a 24-dunam sculpture garden. This summer, museum renovations will be complete and it will feature new programs, fascinating exhibits and interesting activities. Special opening hours during the first week after reopening: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (July 26-28): 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Thursday (July 29): 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 A.M. Opening Hours Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Tuesday: 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Friday and Holiday Eve: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Saturdays and Holidays: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. http://www.inisrael.com/news/?p=1069

Western Wall Tunnel

Descend into the Jewish nation's history in the 322-meter underground tunnel, at the spot closest to where the Temple once stood. The Western Wall Tunnel was discovered 150 years ago, but was only opened to the general public in 1984. In 1996, the exit from the tunnel to the Via Dolorosa was breached. A visit to the tunnel is an experience that will fill visitors with awe, as it combines mythical forces, legends, history and politics – all in the spot closest to the remnants of the Holy Temple. The underground tunnels span the length of the Western Wall, under the homes in the Old City of Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter. The site contains spaces that have been connected to allow visitors to pass between the different splendid structures and the homes from the era of the Second Temple, the foundations of the Crusader church and buildings from the Middle Ages, wells, quarries, a canal from the Hasmonean period and more. The Western Wall is recognized as a 62-meter remnant of the Temple, though the tunnels reveal that it actually extends 488 meters. A tour of the tunnels begins at the entrance gate adjacent to the Western Wall platform, through a passageway to the largest of the tunnel halls, which contains a model of the Temple Mount, Temple and Muslim Quarter. Continue towards the Western Wall itself, which displays a building method unique to the Herodian Era, an imprecise style that grants the Western Wall a particularly impressive look, with engineering reinforcement. Visitors pass to Warren's Gate, which is now blocked with cement, but was one of the four gates to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple period, through which individuals could reach the Holy of the Holies (Kodesh Hakodashim): The Foundation Stone from which, according to the Jewish faith, the world was created and on which the Holy Arc stood in the First and Second Temples. At the end of the tunnel, visitors reach a Herodian street, with the original stones still intact, that was used by the city's upper class, merchants and Roman monarchy. From there, visitors continue on to the stunning Hasmonean canal from the second century B.C.E., at the end of which they reach the Lark Pool, under the Congregation of Notre-Dame de Sion; another right turn in the short tunnel will lead to the Via Dolorosa in the Old City. Entrance to the Western Wall Tunnel must be coordinated in advance, and is available for groups of up to 30 people, which must be accompanied a guide. Individuals can join groups (cost: NIS 7-18). The site is closed on Saturdays. For more information and to coordinate a visit, call 02-627-1333.

Jerusalem - one of a kind

Israel Hotels - best hotel deals in Israel