Jerusalem allows you to beautifully ignore, but only on one condition - you need to be in its bright - literally - walls. It allows you to beautifully ignore politics, classical reality and time, allowing each of its guests to experience that very sense of separation. But even more perfect has become the disregard of the religious nature - no one will be surprised by the elongated silhouette of a Jew hurrying to the synagogue to the accompaniment of the calls of the muezzin from the nearest mosque. Let's talk about the most interesting sights of Jerusalem.
Gethsemane garden
The wide bald patch of the Mount of Olives, stretching right up to the waters of the Kidron Stream playing in the sun, attracts constant attention and becomes the object of frequent visits by people of various professions, religious beliefs, preferences and everything that distinguishes one individual from another. What is so special about the depths of local lands?
It's all about trees, but not because they are undoubtedly life, but because of their historical belonging - at least eight are, if not witnesses, then close to true observers of the events described in detail in the most published and most controversial book in the world - in the Bible. It is thanks to the natural characteristics of these trees - to grow again, even if only a fragment of the root remains in the soil - and a modern olive garden appeared, whose fruits continue to delight with wealth.
He appeared exactly in the place where the olive tree had previously grown, which was the same silent spy who saw the Savior and his disciples, found the Last Supper, captured by Leonardo's brush, and looked reproachfully into the eyes of Judas. It is not surprising that today the Garden of Gethsemane is a real shrine, because it was among the crooked olive branches that History once began. The Garden of Gethsemane stands among the stone idols of the past and sacred graves, it stands ready to receive every guest who finds himself in the Old City - the historical part.
Mount zion
The Promised Land is no longer just an expression when it comes to Mount Zion, because it was here that the foundations of the temple were destroyed - the very possibility of a home for the Jewish people was destroyed. However, today this hill - Zion can hardly be called a mountain in the full sense of the word - is a constant object of pilgrimage and, in a way, study, but not studied by geologists, but by historians and cultural scientists. This increased interest is explained, first of all, by the presence of ancient structures with a more than remarkable prehistory.
Perhaps, against the general - extremely colorful background - the upper room of the Last Supper, where the last, notorious meal of the Savior and his disciples took place, stands out especially clearly. This place is literally imbued with the spirit of the ancient Gothic of the eleventh century with its tall, lancet silhouettes of windows, sharp peaks of arches and an abundance of columns. Today the room is, of course, open to the public, however, these open hours are not uniform, so it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the relevant information in advance.
Traveling to the chamber of the Last Supper will not cause such difficulties - buses 1 and 2, following to the Garbage Gate, and 38 and 20, whose final station is Jaffa Gate, are ideal for this purpose. Among other buildings, nestled on the sloping slopes of Mount Zion, it is also worth noting the Church of St. Peter, which at different times passed to representatives of various confessions, the tomb of King David, whose authenticity continues to cause controversy, and the monastery of the Assumption - the assumption of the Mother of God herself and the Apostle John.
Wall of Tears
The ancient foundations of the Temple of Solomon after the barbaric destruction and painstaking reconstruction by the efforts of the king with a loud rather name - Herod - became a solid basis for the creation of the Second Temple, also destroyed during the Jewish Wars, of which there was not even a memory left, but the temple itself remained - even fragmentarily.
Remained in the guise of the Western Wall or the Western Wall, once erected around the temple buildings and standing today at the foot of the mountain. It is noteworthy that the lovingly hewn stones were not fastened in any way - during the construction no mortars were used, the stones themselves were installed according to the stepwise principle - with a ledge inward, which led to the appearance of a noticeable slope at the entire fifteen-meter height of the wall.
Although the entrance to this attraction is free, there are still some nuances that it is better to know about before visiting this place. There is a certain dress code on the Western Wall, which is explained by the canonical significance of this place in a number of religions. For example, if we are talking about men, then when entering the territory of the shrine, they must wear a kippa - a traditional headdress that does not need to be specially purchased - you can simply take it at the entrance. Writing small notes with requests and desires has become a peculiar tradition of visiting the Western Wall. These notes are laid on the ancient walls in the hope that the message will be heard by the Creator.
Road of Sorrow
The city is not in vain considered a Sacred Land, blessed, scorching, crowded. Here, day after day, history must come to life through the efforts of guides, local merchants and just sympathizers who so often meet, be it a taxi, a bar or a cozy hotel. However, if some of the sights of this city can and even be worth visiting on your own, since it is rather problematic to confuse them with something else, then it is better to visit the Road of Sorrow in an integrated manner, obediently following the guide and carefully listening to what he will strive to convey.
The Road of Sorrow plays a double role - it is one of the most "worn out" tourist routes, it is also a sacred place - it is sacred not from the standpoint of geographical accuracy, but from the standpoint of the truth of faith. Along the entire almost six-hundred-meter length of this narrow street are scattered, and in some places are rather encrypted, fourteen "stations", each of which measures the next stage of the Savior's path to Golgotha.
Some of these sections are marked by the presence of belfries, churches, monasteries, but in the place of others, it would seem, there is a void that only a talented guide can fill with colors, therefore, including the Road of Sorrow in the list of your future must-see, you should pay attention to this " excursion "quality. There is another recommendation point - it is better to postpone an independent visit to the Road of Sorrow until the early morning, when local merchants and thirsty tourists are not so active.
Damascus gate
Damascus - and a slightly salty taste of the sea and that very close to every traveler sound immediately appears on the lips - the wind pulls tightly on the sails, the waves break with groans against the bow of the ship. However, it is worth attributing Jerusalem to such a "Damascus" - in any variation or even through a word - and the image changes, turning into a light rocky picture, in which the outlines in the already Muslim color are surprisingly clear - the aromas and voices of the Arab market seep through the Damascus Gate.
The Damascus Gate was founded by the ancient Romans, traditionally famous for their monumentality and gravitation towards the high quality of everything that was erected during their reign. This observation is quite true for the Damascus Gate, which is a large-scale structure with two towers, dotted with loopholes and stone carvings.The complex of the modern Damascus Gate includes not only the building itself, but also a historical - as you might guess - a museum and a system of underground passages hidden under the thickness of the earth.
The Damascus Gate, although it can captivate, is still a starting point to a greater extent. It is here that the classic routes begin, which will lead to the Wailing Wall, the Road of Sorrow or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And this is quite convenient - such a voluminous and well-preserved structure should still be tried not to be noticed.
House Quiet
Most people who love to travel know very well that visiting the old part of cities leaves a certain imprint on the general atmosphere of the trip, because it is in the Old Towns that tourists try to get, practically ignoring other attractions. This approach can be called criminal when it comes to Jerusalem, because outside the local Old City there are a number of other notable places - and one of them is Tycho's house, which was one of the first buildings that went beyond the old part of Israel.
This building can be called "young" except perhaps against the background of other shrines and places of worship that are located in the Holy Land. The house of Tycho is a little more than two centuries old, which did not prevent it from becoming the center of the intellectual movement and cultural thought of the twentieth century, and a century earlier it was the home of one of the most famous fraudsters in the world, and such a peculiar tandem also leaves a certain imprint on this place.
The modern house bears the name of Tycho - a married artist duet, whose work is deeply respected not only in Israel itself, but throughout the world, and a brilliant doctor. It is noteworthy that the fate of this place was determined by the spouses themselves, stressing that after their death this house should remain the focus of spiritual life, which happened. The Tycho House, open to the public, hosts numerous cultural and musical events, and is itself a museum with a movable display.
City of David
The “Golden City” traditionally justifies its name, which becomes clear after the first walk, even if it is rather for informational purposes. However, it all began not so magnificently as one would expect - we are, of course, talking about the City of David, whose monumental buildings may well compete in antiquity with those that adorn the modern Old City, because it was here that the foundations of Jerusalem itself were laid.
Today, the program of visiting the City of David is traditionally divided into two components - a walk through the ruins of the ancient city, where excavations are continuing, and a passage through one of the tunnels, erected around the tenth century BC. The first part of such a walk, even taking into account the ascent to the watchtowers, will take up to two hours, and the walk through the water supply system will not take more than half an hour.
At the same time, the guests of this place still have a choice - a walk along the Hanaam tunnel, which will undoubtedly be drier in the literal sense of the word, or a rather difficult passage along the Ezekai arm, almost half filled with water.
A visit to the City of David will not be too expensive. An independent walk can cost a maximum of 30 ILS, while a walk with kind guide comments will cost twice as much on average. But this already depends on the personal preferences of each person. But you can get here on your own - passing through the Garbage Gate in the Old Town to the left and turning onto the nearest street on the right side.
Akeldam
Many temples and palaces - even the streets were soaked with blood in the literal sense of the word. It will not be possible to escape from history, as well as from the cruel ghosts of the past, however, even here there is a place in which this very sorrow is literally spilled into the air - sorrow and sublime religious pathos. Akeldama is the Land of Blood, although there were no large-scale wars and no diseases raging on this place.
It's just that at some point it became clear that because of the sacred "profile" something would have to be changed - the city was literally flooded with pilgrims who traveled colossal distances, which was not always easy, and therefore the city was also flooded with corpses. In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases, Akeldam was created - the largest cemetery in the world, which is a real historical treasure.
It is also noteworthy that its appearance still remains unclear - who, when and why decided to create Akeldama? However, both versions existing today are firmly associated with the notorious thirty pieces of silver. Today, entrance to the Akeldama territory does not require the presentation of tickets, however, at the entrance it is recommended to make a donation in favor of the Land of Blood.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
The highest status among the many shrines of Israel is traditionally held by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where the most dramatic events in the mortal life of the Savior took place - crucifixion, burial and, accordingly, resurrection. It is not surprising that during its centuries-old history the temple has changed its appearance more than a dozen times, passing under the authority of representatives of various confessions, surviving cataclysms and fires. It is noteworthy, but the main shrine of modern Christianity was rebuilt on pagan "bones" - the foundation was the remains of the temple of Venus.
The territory of the modern temple complex includes three main buildings - one for each of the events listed above - and is conditionally divided into six parts, each of which is under the control of representatives of different religious schools, which often leads to mutual discontent and quarrels.
During a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, most of all the excitement is caused by a small cave carved into a solid rock - the last bed of Jesus Christ. A marble "sheet" is laid on this stone bed, which should prevent fans and too greedy tourists from trying to cut off a piece of the divine for a long memory.
A visit to the modern temple complex is free in nature. The entrance is open from five in the morning until eight in the evening with slight variations depending on the time of year. When choosing the time of your visit, it is also worth considering that services of different confessions take place at different times.
Rockefeller Archaeological Museum
"Jerusalem needs a museum!" - it was to this conclusion that J. Breasted, who studied the culture of the East and taught at the University of Chicago, visited the suffocating Palestine at the end of 1925. Jerusalem is a huge treasury, turning in the eyes of archaeologists into a real festive table, but there was no professional institution that would deal with the processing and systematization of the accumulated information, as well as its popularization.
This prompted the respected in historical circles scientist J. Breasted to appeal to the equally respected but already in philanthropic circles businessman J. Rockefeller, who responded quite vividly to this request.
To be a museum - everything hinted at it quite unequivocally, including the suspension of construction, no matter how paradoxical it may sound. It was on the site of the modern building of the museum that the most ancient tombs and a unique collection of artifacts were discovered, which today have become part of the museum exposition, adding to the ranks of the oldest and most valuable samples. The modern museum contains artifacts that were found not only in Jerusalem, but also in Megiddo, Samaria and so on.
The Rockefeller Archaeological Museum is free to enter, making it undoubtedly more popular with tourists.You can get to it by taking buses one, three or fifty-one, but it is better to get acquainted with the schedule of work additionally - the museum finishes its work at different times (usually after lunch), but invariably starts at ten o'clock in the morning.
Golden Gate
The majestic Golden Gate in the fortress wall of Old Jerusalem is the oldest and currently the only walled gates of the city. According to the biblical tradition, it was through them that Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into the city. The locals solemnly greeted the Messiah, believing that he would save them from Roman oppression. The people spread palm branches and their robes on the path of the Savior.
In the 15th century, after the conquest of Jerusalem by Islamic troops, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered the Golden Gate to be laid with stones and a Muslim cemetery built in front of it. According to tradition, this was done deliberately to prevent the Messiah from entering the city at this place during his second coming to earth.
The tightly sealed Golden Gate consists of two arches. The relief ornaments of the vaults and columns provide tourists with an opportunity to determine where the sacred entrance for the Messiah was. The arches have eloquent names: "arch of mercy" and "arch of repentance".
Lion gate
The decoration of the eastern part of the fortress wall is the Lion Gate. The construction was founded in the 16th century by the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The ruler of the Ottoman Empire saw in a dream a terrible warning for himself - if he did any harm to the city and its inhabitants, he would be torn to pieces by formidable lions.
The superstitious sultan believed the vision and renounced the desire to raze Jerusalem. Suleiman the Magnificent was angry with the townspeople who resisted paying taxes to the Ottoman Caliph. After a prophetic dream, the ruler canceled the collection of exorbitant tribute and ordered to erect a high limestone wall around the city in order to protect the population from enemy raids.
The Lion's Gate constitutes a single architectural ensemble with a powerful fortification battlement stone wall. The landmark got its name in the 19th century in connection with the bas-reliefs depicting the kings of beasts on both sides of the gate.
Western Wall Tunnel
In the 19th century, British archaeologists discovered a unique tunnel passing under the main holy place for Jews around the world - the Western Wall. This is a whole underground complex of labyrinths, which is a network of long narrow galleries with stone arched vaults and monumental walls made of giant monolithic blocks.
The history of this impressive tunnel is more than 2000 years old. The biblical king Herod decided to expand the area of the Temple Mount by joining a nearby hill. For this, four retaining walls were erected, inside which engineers built a system of arched corridors. After destruction by the Romans, the space along the walls was filled with debris. The ground level has risen several meters.
Walking along the grandiose underground corridor, tourists can see the most valuable artifacts. Noteworthy is a stone block weighing more than 500 tons and a length of about 14 meters, as well as a cave synagogue, an underground water channel and ritual pools.
Valley of Hinnom
Between Mount Zion and the Abu Tor region, a deep gorge stretches for 2,700 meters, which has won an ominous glory over many centuries. The scenic area is well known for its biblical scriptures. This is the Valley of Hinnom or Gehenna of fire. In religious beliefs, this historical place began to symbolize the threshold of hell. Here rituals of pagan sacrifices were held, and later the bodies of executed criminals and city rubbish were burned.
Continuously flaming flames and characteristic smells of burnt meat filled with suffocating miasms. This served as the basis for the origin of the legend of fiery Gehenna. Local residents assumed that restless souls of people lived there and tried to bypass the cursed place.
Today, the Hinnoma Valley is especially popular with tourists who want to experience a frightening and forbidden atmosphere. Rocky slopes with crevices are sparsely covered with grass and coniferous vegetation. Walking along the gorge, you can see the ruins of ancient crypts and ancient monasteries.
Memorial complex of the history of the Holocaust "Yad Vashem"
On the forest slope of Herzl Hill is the world famous national memorial complex for the history of the Holocaust - "Yad Vashem". This place is dedicated to the memory of the representatives of the Jewish people who became victims of Nazism during the Second World War. The museum complex is an area of 18 hectares. There are exhibition pavilions with historical artifacts, art installations, photographs.
The expositions are designed to perpetuate evidence of the tragic events of the 20th century. The well-groomed alleys of the park of the memorial complex are full of heartfelt sculptural compositions, obelisks and monuments. The central object of the museum is the Hall of Memory. The eternal flame is burning in the monumental structure in the form of a tent with basalt walls. The names of twenty concentration camps in which Jews were kept and destroyed are engraved on the black floor.
Via Dolorosa
Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world visit Old Jerusalem to make the Procession of the Cross along the stone-paved Via Dolorosa. According to the Holy Scriptures, the last earthly path of Jesus Christ ran along it. After the verdict of the procurator Pontius Pilate was passed, the Savior was taken to the place of the demonstration execution on the hill of Calvary.
Jesus with an unreasonably heavy cross on his shoulders walked under the escort of Roman soldiers. All this time, Christ suffered from unbearable pain, showered with mob abuse. The modern street Via Dolorosa amazes with its everyday life and bustle. There are numerous shops along the road. Market stalls with sellers of various goods and a large flow of people make it difficult to feel the atmosphere of the sorrowful journey that is meaningful for all Christians.
Despite this, the street retains its spiritual essence, as nine of the fourteen stops of Jesus Christ are located here. The iconic places of the Savior's standing are marked with chapels.
Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives
The oldest and most revered Jewish cemetery in the world is located on the slope of the Mount of Olives. The first burials appeared here about 2500 years ago. The cemetery occupies a multi-level area. Slabs, gravestones and crypts are made of Jerusalem stone, shining brightly in the sun.
There are more than 150 thousand graves in the cemetery, among which there are the tombs of the Old Testament prophets. The burial sites were bought for many decades to come by the richest people on the planet. The cost of the place starts from one million dollars.
The most important biblical events are associated with the Mount of Olives. Here Jesus Christ prayed, preached and ascended to heaven. There is a legend that it is from this cemetery that the resurrection from the dead will begin when the Messiah again ascends the Mount of Olives.
Mount of Olives observation deck
One of the most significant natural attractions of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, attracts the attention of tourists. At its top there is a popular observation deck, from where it is recommended to start your acquaintance with the views of the ancient city. It is the largest hill in the Holy Land, reaching a height of about 800 meters above sea level.
The observation terrace offers a magnificent panorama of Old Jerusalem. Tourists can see domes, spiers and minarets of temples, silhouettes of modern buildings, the Kidron Valley, as well as legendary architectural monuments such as the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.
Garden grave
For Protestants, the Garden Tomb is the true place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was discovered at the end of the 19th century by British General Charles Gordon in the Arab quarter. An officer in the English army and a passionate scholar of the Bible sincerely believed that the rocky area, the crevices of which resemble a human skull, is the real Hill of Calvary.
Archaeological excavations followed the opening of the Sadovaya Tomb. In addition to the ancient tomb, a huge reservoir for irrigating the garden, an oil press and the remains of a winery were found in the cave. All this corresponded to the description of the burial place of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Studies by other scientists have shown that the Garden Tomb most likely dates back to the 8th-6th centuries BC.
A picturesque garden with green alleys, well-groomed paths and flower beds is laid out around the alternative sacred place. Here tourists can relax on a bench under the crowns of trees, enjoying the tranquility and silence.
Tomb of the virgin
At the foot of the Mount of Olives in the Kidron Valley is one of the greatest Christian shrines - the Tomb of the Virgin. A Byzantine basilica was erected on the site of the burial of the mother of Jesus Christ in the 4th century AD under the emperor Constantine. Subsequently, the church was destroyed and was restored only in the XII century by the crusaders.
The current religious building is a cruciform structure cut out in a deep cave. Its length is 34 meters. Above the surface is only a modest arched portal with a Gothic pediment. A wide stone staircase of 48 steps leads the parishioners into a room covered with evangelical antiquity.
The only decorations in the interior of the tomb are hundreds of lamps of different sizes, fixed on vaulted ceilings. The gray walls smoked with soot add a special ambiance to the halls of the church. Numerous old icons in gold and silver frames evoke feelings of grace.
Mosque "Dome of the Rock"
The most famous Muslim shrine rises on the Temple Mount, framed by high stone walls. This is the Dome of the Rock mosque, which is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The religious building was erected at the end of the 7th century on a stone ledge, from where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
The octahedral building with arcaded galleries is crowned with a majestic twenty-meter in diameter golden dome that dominates the architectural ensemble of the Old City. The total height of the building is 34 meters. The façade of the temple is faced with colorful, multicolored ceramic tiles in intricate patterns. The numerous arched windows are adorned with intricate stained-glass windows.
The interior of the mosque is filled with two rows of marble columns that surround the sacred Stone. The interiors are saturated with patterned mosaic ornaments of arched galleries with decorative elements of woodcarving.
Al-aqsa mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque, together with the Dome of the Rock shrine, constitutes a highly significant single religious Islamic complex on the Temple Mount. This is one of the greatest shrines in importance among the Muslim prayer houses in the world. The construction of the mosque was completed in 705. It consists of seven magnificent galleries. The central part of the structure is crowned with a dome covered with lead plates. The facade of the mosque is decorated with more than a hundred arched window openings with stained-glass windows.
The impressive size of the main hall of the al-Aqsa Mosque can accommodate about 5,000 worshipers. It is divided by marble columns. The floors are covered with red carpets. Arched galleries, walls and ceilings are painted with bright patterned ornaments. The inside of the dome is decorated with a mosaic panel.
Basilica of St. Anne
At the beginning of Via Dolorosa, next to the Lion's Gate, is the Catholic Basilica of Saint Anne. The Romanesque church was erected in 1142 during the reign of the Crusaders on the site where the house of the parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, was. The church with massive walls and protruding vertical pillars outwardly resembles an impregnable medieval fortress.
The facade of the basilica is decorated with arched windows and a portal. The interior of the chapel is distinguished by its ascetic appearance. The three aisles of the basilica are separated by an arched gallery. The marble altar, elaborate reliefs and high vaulted ceilings make a strong impression on the congregation.
Temple of All Nations
On the outskirts, next to the Garden of Gethsemane, rises the Catholic Church of All Nations, built thanks to the joint donations of twelve states of the world. The church was erected in the first half of the 20th century on a sacred place where Jesus Christ spent the last earthly night on the eve of his arrest.
One of the most magnificent basilicas attracts attention with its magnificent mosaic panel on the pediment, depicting scenes from the last days of the life of the Savior. The roof of the building is topped with twelve gray domes. The façade is decorated with three arches supported by Corinthian columns. On the capitals of the columns there are four sculptures by the authors of the canonical Gospel.
Vaulted ceilings painted with intricate ornaments, colorful frescoes, bright stained-glass window openings, massive pink marble columns give the interior of the temple a peaceful and solemn flavor. There is a fragment of a rock in the church, in front of which Jesus Christ prayed, foreseeing his suffering. The stone is surrounded by a wrought iron fence in the form of crowns of thorns.
Monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God
At the top of Mount Zion is the monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God, erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The construction of the magnificent monastery complex was begun at the end of the 19th century by German Catholics. According to scripture, the abbey is located in the place where the ascension of the Mother of God to heaven took place.
The monumental round building of the monastery is made of light bricks. The structure looks like a medieval castle with towers, narrow windows and a cone-shaped roof. In the rather ascetic interior of the abbey, the main altar with six chapels decorated with unique mosaic panels deserves attention.
The main treasure of the shrine is in the crypt. There is a sculpture of the Mother of God made of ivory and wood. The statue rests on a sacred stone, which became the last bed of the Virgin Mary.
Zion chamber
According to Christian tradition, the famous Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples took place in the spacious upper room of one of the houses on the top of Mount Zion. On the eve of the arrest, the Messiah commanded the future apostles to find a comfortable and secluded place to perform the sacred ordinance of transforming bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord.
The name of the owner of the house, who was not afraid to provide a room for Jesus and his followers during the Roman persecution, is not known for certain. It is known that only wealthy citizens could build houses on Mount Zion. The Zion chamber became the prototype of the first Christian temples.
The premises of the Last Supper have not survived in their original form. The current two-story building of the upper room was erected by the Crusaders in the 12th century. The hall where the sacred dinner was held is a reconstruction of a religious event. Gothic arches, columns and windows, snow-white vaulted ceilings, stone floors, and stucco elements allow you to feel the special atmosphere of the sacred place.
St. Peter's Church in Gallicantou
On the eastern side of Mount Zion stands the splendid Basilica of St. Peter at Gallicantou. The church was erected in the 30s of the XX century on the site where the Apostle Peter denied Jesus Christ three times. The name of the church means in Latin - "at the cry of a rooster."According to the biblical scripture, the Savior warned his disciple that he would betray him before the rooster crows.
The Apostle Peter promised the Teacher to follow him both to prison and to death. When Jesus was captured, the discouraged disciple was lost in the crowd. Three people recognized Peter as a disciple of Christ, but he swore that he did not know the Savior. The Roman Catholic Church is dedicated to this evangelical event.
St. Peter's Basilica is an equilateral cross topped with a massive dome. On the facade of the temple, arched walls, stained glass windows, patterned ornaments, original relief masonry and wall frescoes stand out. The interiors of the shrine are decorated with ceiling paintings and picturesque mosaic panels depicting biblical subjects.
Our Father Church
Among the shrines of the Mount of Olives, the church dedicated to the prayer "Our Father" deserves attention. The Catholic basilica is erected over the supposed cave in which Jesus Christ taught his disciples the prayer word. Historical facts testify that the first church "Our Father" was founded in the IV century at the behest of the Empress Saint Helena. In 614, the shrine was destroyed by the invading Persian warriors.
The revival of the temple took place in the 19th century thanks to a financial investment by a noble lady from France, Aurelia de Bossy. The unpretentious structure is decorated with a Gothic arcade gallery with a vaulted ceiling. The main architectural detail of the "Our Father" church is ceramic slabs with prayers written in various languages. There are about 140 such tablets in total.
Church of St. Mary Magdalene
The pearl of Russian Orthodox architecture is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, which rises picturesquely among a high evergreen forest on the slope of the Mount of Olives. The church was founded in the second half of the 19th century on the initiative of Emperor Alexander III in honor of his mother Maria Alexandrovna.
The majestic church is made of sand-colored Jerusalem stone. The religious building is crowned with seven golden domes of various sizes and a hipped bell tower. The facade of the church is abundantly decorated with zakomars, elements of carved ornament and square recesses.
The interior decoration of the temple amazes and enchants with its splendor. Wall-mounted ornamental paintings, amazing frescoes and marble iconostasis are delightful. On the wall of the altar, you can see a colorful panel - "St. Mary Magdalene in front of the Roman emperor Tiberius."
The Knesset
The symbol of the legislative power of the Republic of Israel is the Knesset. Here, the servants of the people pass legislation, form a coalition government, and elect the prime minister and president. The Knesset has 120 members who are elected by nationwide direct suffrage.
The seven-story imposing parliament building is a concrete rectangular parallelepiped. The walls are lined with Jerusalem limestone. Each side of the building's façade is decorated with ten columns that support the protruding roof canopy. Any citizen and tourist can enter the Knesset to appreciate the luxurious interiors of the building.
High ceilings, marble walls, snow-white columns and art collections located in the premises of the building attract the eyes of visitors. The famous French Jewish artist Marc Chagall worked on the design of one of the halls. The master created floor and wall mosaic panels, and also created magnificent tapestries.
Mahane Yehuda Market
Along with numerous religious shrines and architectural monuments, the main market of the ancient district of the city - Mahane Yehuda is very popular among tourists. This is a whole quarter, teeming with labyrinths of shops and shops. At the Mahane Yehuda market, it is impossible not to feel the local atmosphere of the Arabian flavor. Here, artistic sellers loudly call buyers and advertise their colorful merchandise. The luscious aromas of countless delicacies swirl the heads of the scurrying multinational crowd of people.
A variety of vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, sweets, olives, fish, spices, baked goods, souvenirs, dishes, jewelry and other products dazzle even the most sophisticated chefs and shopping lovers. The bazaar has modern eateries, cozy restaurants, bars and pastry shops.
Bible Lands Museum
Antiquities lovers looking to expand their cultural palette of impressions of their stay are advised to visit the popular Israel Museum of Bible Lands. The institution possesses invaluable archaeological artifacts that symbolize the millennial history, philosophy and religion of the peoples of the Middle East.
An impressive collection of relics is housed in a modern building made of Jerusalem limestone. The complex consists of two wings, between which there is a glazed part of the building, which serves as the entrance to the museum. The gallery's exposition consists of 21 thematic sections.
Among the artifacts of interest are clay and ceramic products, ancient manuscripts, dishes, figurines of idols, seals, weapons, coins, models of cities, household items and various works of art. Among the unique items of the museum fund are jewelry, Egyptian sarcophagi and relief images on stones. Some of the exhibits are more than three thousand years old.
Israel Museum
The social and political center houses one of the main cultural institutions of the city - the Israel Museum. The collection of the museum fund consists of half a million archaeological, artistic, anthropological, ethnographic relics, as well as attributes of Judaism. The complex occupies an impressive area of 50 thousand square meters. meters.
Numerous exhibits give an idea of the millennial wisdom of the people of Israel, its customs and cultural values. The expositions are striking in their variety. Here you can see masterpieces of household items, a collection of dishes, jewelry, carved furniture, unique manuscripts, elegant clothes, sculptural compositions, paintings by different generations of artists and even interior elements of synagogues.
Bloomfield Science Museum
A visit to the Bloomfield Science Museum will leave a wonderful experience for adults and children. This is an exhibition of interactive exhibits, interaction with which will allow you to understand the laws of the universe. In an accessible and entertaining way, they clearly demonstrate the various laws of physics, chemistry, electricity, as well as the principles of operation of various technical devices. The museum covers an area of over 5,000 square meters.
The complex is represented by all kinds of laboratories filled with mechanisms and models of various designs and purposes. To conduct scientific experiments, exhibits must be touched, pressed, twisted, thrown, pushed, pumped and nailed. Some examples are set in motion by means of a sunbeam or magnetic field.
The unique kinematic theater “Sharmanka” is especially popular among the museum visitors. Young spectators will see various characters assembled from pieces of furniture that move, dance and sing.
Montefiori Museum "Moshe's Mill"
In the 19th century, Moshe Montefiori, a British financier and banker of Jewish origin, established the first quarter outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. A generous philanthropist, he bought a plot of land from a wealthy Muslim. After that, the construction of residential buildings and synagogues began, surrounded by a picturesque garden.
The most notable construction of the new district was a miracle of technology of its time - a windmill. She was supposed to provide the local population with cheap flour.However, the British banker's good idea failed. The mill did not grind a single handful of flour, since the place chosen for it turned out to be windless.
Today, the building is a monument and decoration of a quiet, cozy park, immersed in green trees and bright flowers. Inside the mill, there is a small museum dedicated to the life of Moshe Montefiori. Books, photographs, paintings, documents and personal belongings of the revered benefactor are kept here.
Mayer Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art invites its visitors to get acquainted with a magnificent collection of Oriental antiquities. The nine halls of the complex house a rich collection of historical artifacts reflecting the cultural values and traditions of different civilizations of the Muslim world - from Europe to Asia.
These are fabrics, ceramics, dishes, clothing, weapons, household items, jewelry, works of art and other antiques. The museum is dedicated to the memory of the professor and rector of the Hebrew University Lev Mayer. The scholar devoted his life to the study of Islamic art. The exhibition was opened in 1974.
Among the exhibits, a collection of luxury jewelry adorned with precious stones, gold, emeralds, pearls and diamonds deserves respect. Here you can see belts, bracelets, earrings, hairpins, rings and tiaras. Entire rooms are dedicated to cold and firearms, clock mechanisms, skillfully painted household items and ancient manuscripts.
Museum of Jewish heritage "Heikhal Shlomo"
Geyhal Shlomo is a 1958 building that has long served as the seat of the Chief Council of the Rabbinate of Israel. Today it is one of the most popular museums, which is dedicated to the centuries-old history of the development of the culture of the Jewish people. Here are collected exhibits of ethnographic and artistic value.
Ritual household items, furniture, jewelry, clothing, manuscripts, books, paintings and other artifacts are on display. The first floor of the museum is occupied by a small synagogue. Its walls are decorated with stained glass windows. The central object of the shrine is the Ark of the Covenant, brought from an Italian synagogue. The oldest parchment scrolls are kept in the Ark.
Zedekiah's cave
Below the Arab Quarter is one of Israel's largest artificial caves. This is Zedekiah's cave, named after the last king of the Jews. Legend has it that the ruler tried to escape through this tunnel during a siege by Babylonian forces in the 6th century BC. Here he was captured, blinded and shackled. Water droplets erupting from the high ceiling of the cave are known as Zedekiah's tears.
This amazing man-made structure is striking in its size. The area of the mysterious dungeon is 9000 square meters. Since ancient times, the cave served as a quarry, where white limestone was mined for the construction of temples. In the 16th century, its entrance was walled up and reopened only in 1854.
Today the cave is a popular tourist attraction.
The cave consists of halls, corridors and nooks, stretching tens of meters deep. Each stone there is saturated with the history of mankind.
Biblical zoo
The biblical zoo is located a few kilometers from the central area on the picturesque slope of the canyon. Natural habitats have been recreated for various representatives of the animal world. The zoo covers an area of 25 hectares. The spacious enclosures feature boulder-filled grassy lawns, jungle, savanna and desert. An artificial pond, a waterfall, a terrarium and a greenhouse give a special amazing atmosphere to the area.
Visitors to the zoo will get acquainted with numerous animals. These are bears, kangaroos, penguins, giraffes, hippos, tapirs, lemurs. Here you can also see zebras, lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, monkeys and rhinos. Crocodiles, turtles and other amphibians splash in some terrariums.
String bridge
One of the modern architectural landmarks is the railway-pedestrian cable-stayed String Bridge. It was erected at the beginning of the 21st century. The original structure delights tourists and locals with its amazing shape, reminiscent of a huge steel harp. This is the creation of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who was tasked by the Jerusalem authorities to build the most beautiful bridge in the world to solve the city's transport problem.
The structure is supported by a single support mast, which rises to 119 meters. From the massive parabolic pylon, like the strings of a harp, snow-white steel strands of cables diverge. The total length of the structure is 360 meters. The bridge has become the tallest architectural object in the city. A tram line runs along it, as well as a pedestrian road.
