Jerusalem Travel, Attractions, Jerusalem with Kids, Jerusalem Restaurants, Jerusalem Festivals, Jerusalem Weather, Jerusalem Synagogues, Jerusalem Museums, Jerusalem WI-FI, Jerusalem Hotels
"Ten measures of beauty descended to the world; nine were taken by Jerusalem and one by the rest of the world." (Babylonian Talmud)
Jerusalem is possibly one of the most beautiful, appealing and extraordinary cities in the world. It is the capital of Israel, the centre of the three major religions, with its history going back over three thousand years.
One of the first things one notices about the city is its color, which changes with every hour of the day.
Dawn breaks and the entire city is illuminated with a mystical glow. On a clear day one can see the mountains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, and to the west the eternal city of Jerusalem. The view from Mount Scopus is magical. The Dome of the Rock, with its golden roof, shines above the Old City - the very spot where Solomon built his temple. Sometimes, as the sun sets, the limestone from which most of the city is built, glows a sort of pinkish/gold. It is truly breathtaking.
For thousands years after King David, Jerusalem was both the spiritual and physical home of the Jews. So many wars were fought over this small piece of real estate. Stories of the city’s endless struggles and its charismatic fighters are the stuff of legends. Over the ages, the city has been governed in turn by all three major religions However, Jerusalem has remained, and still is, the heart of Jewish civilization, and the place to which all Jews turn to pray.
The Old City of Jerusalem contains many places holy to Jews, Christians and Islam: The Church of the Holy Sepulcher where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, the Stations of the Cross, and the Garden of Gethsemane. The Wailing Wall, which is the last remnant of Herod’s Temple, and the holiest place in Judaism is also within the walls of the Old city. The Dome of the Rock stands proudly above on Mount Moriah. This is where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have risen from earth to glimpse Paradise. Jerusalem is sacred to more than a third of the world’s population.
New Jerusalem is a modern city, with good restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisine, concerts halls, theatres and hotels. There are malls, markets and also wonderful modern stores for shopping, selling good fashion, great jewellery and marvelous souvenirs. There are quaint and old quarters that date back many years.
Visitors to Israel simply must spend a good few days exploring this great city. Also, we suggest that one plans the trip to stay over in Jerusalem on the weekend. The atmosphere just before the start of the Sabbath is so very special. Everything slowly winds down, the buses stop running until Saturday night… people finish their Sabbath preparations and rush home to relax for 24 or so hours!. One sees so many men walking home, carrying a bunch of flowers for their families! And these flowers are sold on almost every street corner. Vendors reduce the price of their produce in the Mahane Yehuda market, as the start of Shabbat gets nearer. The market is worth a visit anytime…its one of the world’s best, but the atmosphere just before Shabbat is fun!
All of this and so much more are awaiting the curious traveler!
Tourism Information office, just inside the Jaffa Gate inside the Old City: Tel no. 02-627 1422
Christian Information Centre: Tel no 02-627 2692.
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Jerusalem Travel, Attractions
Jerusalem with Kids
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Jerusalem Museums
Jerusalem WI-FI
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