The Old City of Jerusalem
Jerusalem travel guideThe 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.
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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.
