Location: Jerusalem
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The 10 Best Historic Sites in Jerusalem, Jerusalem District
Religious pilgrims have been traveling to Jerusalem for centuries, yet you don’t have to share their zeal in order to appreciate this city’s profound cultural and historical significance. Plan on seeing the major sights, but also leave plenty of time to walk through the streets and simply immerse yourself in the daily life of such an ancient and revered place.
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1. Old City of Jerusalem
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13,928 reviews
Characterized by narrow, winding streets and alleyways, this ancient part of the city is filled with shrines and attractions holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims including the Western Wall, Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Reviewed By BoardingPass7860
Must see sights - Mount Of Olives, Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, etc. Bezalel Hotel had book that mapped out walking tour of the city from all different directions so you can explore all the must-see sights of the city on your own.
2. Temple Mount Sifting Project- HaMasu'ot Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
The seal of a biblical priest who served in the First Temple, a rare silver half-shekel coin that was used for the Temple tax according to biblical law, arrowheads from the destruction of the first temple, jewels, and many more exciting discoveries were made over the years while sifting soil from Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Many more treasures are still hiding in this unique soil and you have the opportunity to discover them! Over 250,000 people already took part in this endeavor, will you also be part of this huge public heritage preservation project? Background: Since 2004, the Temple Mount Sifting Project has been sifting the soil destructively and illegally bulldozed from the Temple Mount in order to preserve, research, and publish the archaeological history of this ancient and holy place.
Reviewed By yehiel2020 - Tel Aviv, Israel
Fun activity for all ages while gaining informally fascinating historical and archeological information.
3. Temple Mount
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,572 reviews
A hill in the eastern part of Old Jerusalem is of special significance to the world's three major religions. It was reputedly the site of the first and second Jewish Temple, and since the 7th century has contained two Muslim shrines.
Reviewed By H75travel - Epsom, United Kingdom
Temple Mount and the Dome of the Roack are must sees when in Jerusalem, just make sure you time your visit right as there are limited visiting hours for non-muslims. There's only one entrance and to visit you must have your bag scanned and pass through airport type security. Come modestly dressed - arms, shoulders and legs covered for women. Undoubtedly the reason to come is the Dome of the Rock which is just stunning. I could have observed the building for a long time. It's very photogenic and the tile work beautiful. While you can't enter there are plenty of other places to explore, so make sure you save time.
4. Western Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,159 reviews
The remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and a place of prayer sacred to the Jewish people.
Reviewed By PeterWJr46 - Poughkeepsie, United States
It was hard to believe that part of the temple that existed when Our Lord walked the earth, is still there. The West Wall is sacred to the Jewish faith and a testament to the life of Our Savior and His teaching in this very temple. The wall, itself, is divided by a separation for men and for women. It was interesting to see how this divide is so prevalent in this religious atmosphere. Security was ever present around the entrances and within the courtyard leading to the West Wall. It is a holy site and should be treated as such.
5. Dome of the Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 794 reviews
Located in the Old City’s Muslim Quarter, this is the world’s third holiest shrine to Muslims (after the Kaaba in Mecca and the Tomb of the Propher in Medina), which signifies the spot where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended into Heaven.
Reviewed By 187brianm - Montrose, United Kingdom
You cannot travel to Jerusalem and not go to the Dome of the Rock. There are restricted visiting times for non Muslims so check when it is possible to go.
6. The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,661 reviews
Starting at St. Stephen's (Lions') Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this is the route Jesus is said to have followed as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion.
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
Starting from Fortress Antonia, near the Lions Gate, in the Muslim quarter, the pilgrimage goes up to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, located in the Christian district. According to traditions from the 4th century, this place houses the two most holy places of Christianity: the one where Jesus was crucified, known as Golgotha, and the place where Jesus was buried, and then Resurrected. . The route has 14 stations related to the Passions experienced by Jesus, within the basilica itself being the last five stations on Via Dolorosa, which represent the final episodes of the Passions. The area around the basilica preserves the location, shape and a few columns of the Church of the Resurrection built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, on the place of the tomb of Christ.
7. Jaffa Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,010 reviews
The main entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City faces the west toward the old port of Jaffa, and is located next to one of the city’s best-known sites, the Tower of David or Citadel. There are seven gates open: New Gate, Zion, Dung, Jaffa, Lions’ (St. Stephen's), Herod’s, and Damascus (Shechem).
Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null
So after I took my tour group of one to survey around the Old City of Jerusalem (read my review and see my photos from yesterday ), and after observing the 1,950 year old relics of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (see my review and photos from tomorrow), and after late afternoon prayer at the Western Wall, we traversed the Old City and Armenian Quarter (see my two artistic photos), walked past the Tower of David (see my eight photos posted yesterday), and finally exited through this Jaffa Gate, towards our final destination of Mamilla Mall and Cafe Rimon ( did you guess? Yes- read my reviews of them in the coming days). This Jaffa Gare is with entry at jagged perpendicular entry- for the security and protection of the residents. The deep 20 centimeter thick and 6 meter high doors are quite impressive. Yes/ most people just rush through them as if it’s no big deal.... well it is. And here’s my tour guide tip that I told my tourist and I’ll tell you- as soon as you enter and look at the left, you see two Arabic gravestones- who has the great honor of perpetuity by being buried there? So Suleiman the Magnificent, supreme ruler of the Turkish Ottoman Empire commissioned the two greatest architects in the world of that time to build in 1538 this Old City wall that you see. And after its completion, the emperor wanted to ensure that these master builders would never build anything more that could compare in majesty and grandeur to these Jerusalem Old City walls. .... so here are buried those two architects and builders. To which my one tour person replied, “Nice guy- life in the 1500s.” No photos this time- we were rushing to eat after the 25 hour complete fast of food and water. But believe me - “I visited this place”... yesterday.
8. Eglise du Saint-Sepulcre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,791 reviews
Built in the fourth century over the site of a Roman Pagan temple, this is considered one of the world’s holiest shrines to Christians, preserving the most important moments of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most Holy and Sacred places in Jerusalem, or actually in all of Christendom! The Church of the Holy Sepulchre may be the most sacred places for anyone to visit in Jerusalem; although at times the lines of Pilgrims and crowds of reverent worshippers may be somewhat distracting, one cannot be in awe of what occurred there and what Our Lord suffered there. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre may be the single most important reason to visit the Holy Land and a visit there is certain to leave anyone with a hushed and powerful feeling for the sanctity of the place. I have been blessed to have been able to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on two occasions: each tome I was filled with inspiration and the feeling of awe for the sanctity of the Church. I hope I will be able to visit again, sometime, but feel that my life was changed by even my first two visits!
9. The Garden Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,367 reviews
Located north of the Old City’s Damascus Gate, this Christian holy site is a perfect place for prayer and contemplation. Many believe it to be the site of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Reviewed By KarenHicks63
The gardens surrounding the tomb make it a very quiet and peaceful place amidst the hussle and bussle of Jersuleum. It was nice to see the tomb. Tour guide gives good information. We as a group were provided a place to sit quietly and have communion.
10. Monte das Oliveiras
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,332 reviews
Located east of Jerusalem, this holy spot is associated with many events in Jesus’ life including ascending to Heaven (Chapel of Ascension) and teaching his disciples the Lord’s prayer (Pater Noster).
Reviewed By rusak - Jönköping, Sweden
Old historic part of Jerusalem. There you can find old big Jewish cemetery and a lot of important Christian saint places - Garden of Gethsemane, Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene and many others amazing places to visit during pilgrimage in Holy Land ! This place have the most beautiful panoramic view of old Jerusalem city! Definitely recommend to visit for everyone!!!
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