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The Western Wall Virtual tour – Visit the Kotel

Jerusalem travel guide

The Western Wall also called the Wailing wall, is the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, the one that was closest to the Holy of Holies when the Temple stood.

The holiest Jewish site in the world and a renowned symbol of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall is a remnant of the retaining wall built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BC, to encompass the Second Temple enclosure.

As the only remainder of their sacred, destroyed Temple, Jewish people from all over the world, throughout two thousands years of exile, have faced the direction of the Western Wall on their prayers.

It is a Jewish belief that the Holy Presence has never left the Western Wall, thus it became the most significant site of Jewish pilgrimage, where Jews came to mourn the ruin of the Temple. This is how the Wall, “Ha’kotel” in Hebrew, has gained the name – the “Wailing Wall”.

The big plaza in front of the Wall is divided into two sections – one for women and one for men. Here you can observe different kinds of Jewish activities and prayers, from orthodox Jews dressed in black reading their bible, to Israeli soldiers and groups of Jewish tourists. Leaning against the Wall and kissing the stones, the prayers’ most famous custom is to insert a note with a prayer to God between the Wall’s bricks, believing in its priority to be answered.

The Western Wall serves as a favorite location for Jewish traditional celebrations, and gets amazingly alive on Friday eve (the arrival of Sabbath) and on Jewish holidays. While visiting the Kotel you may see a Bar Mitzvah kid holding the Torah on his traditional ceremony, or an excited bride & groom being photographed before their wedding.
Information:

The Western Wall is open 24 hours, and requires a modest dress for women and a head cover for the men. Admission is free. The closest gate to enter the Old City directly to the Wall is the Dung Gate. Buses No. 1 and 2 reach inside the Old City to the area of the Wall.

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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

Jerusalem's Culture, People and neighborhoods

A city which is a celebration of colors, sites and people, a trip to Jerusalem is an exciting journey into many types of cultures, traditions and neighborhoods. Along the history of the city, people of different religions, from all over the world, have set their homes in Jerusalem, making it an exotic place to discover. Many visitors to Jerusalem are drawn to the city's exceptional ambiance and unique aura. The city of Jerusalem consists of three main parts: A View to the Old City The most historical holy part is the walled Old City, where the major sites, the lively alleys and the colorful markets are. The Old City itself is divided into four quarters: The Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. A View to the New City Outside the walls is the New City, also known as West Jerusalem. Here is where you can enjoy the vibrant modern metropolis of the active bars and cafes, the malls, the impressive museums and galleries, and the expanding Israeli neighborhoods and industrial high-tech zones. A View to East Jerusalem The third part of Jerusalem is East Jerusalem, populated mostly with Palestinians, presenting a wide range of oriental restaurants, lively shops and inexpensive hotels.

Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Sorrows, is believed to be the route that Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion. This route marks the 14 stations in the Way of the Cross, from the first station where Jesus was condemned to death by Pilate, to the last station where he was laid in the Holy Sepulchre. These stations follow the order of events that is mentioned in the gospels. The last five stations are located inside the church itself and signalize the stations of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The first eight stations are marked along the street, which goes up from the Muslim Quarter, near the Lions Gate, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the Christian Quarter. Information: Visitors can join the official prayer procession every Friday afternoon, which goes along the Via Dolorosa, from the first station and up to the Holy Sepulchre. The Christian Information Center, located at the Old City, can provide further information regarding Christian sites, Tel: 972-2-6272692. View on google map >>

Jerusalem - one of a kind