|
Top Things To See
Jerusalem's Old City
Jerusalem's Old City is entered through the impressively fortified Jaffa Gate. David's Tower (History of Jerusalem Museum; www.towerofdavid.org.il), on the right, is a must. Its brilliant displays vividly tell the history of the city. The rooftop gives a glorious vista towards Temple Mount. Explore the distinct bustling market streets, shopping lanes and quiet back alleys of the four very different Old City Quarters - Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian. Dome of the Rock The intricately beautiful Dome of the Rock stands high on Temple Mount (Har HaBayit in Hebrew, Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic) in Jerusalem and is spiritually significant for both Jews and Muslims. Mea She'arim Jerusalem's Mea She'arim district is home to Israel's largest community of strictly observant Orthodox Jews who keep all their East European dress and traditions alive. Go there for a stroll and it'll feel like you're in pre-war Europe. Western Wall Plaza Encounter Jewish faith and resilience in the immense, animated Western Wall Plaza (www.thekotel.org), below Temple Mount. Go on a Western Wall tunnel tour, which takes you to portions of the wall now buried deep beneath the city. Jerusalem Archaeological Park The newly reconstructed Hulda Steps, once the main entrance to the Temple, are in the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (www.archpark.org.il), a few paces from Western Wall Plaza. Its Davidson Center includes a virtual reconstruction of a visit to the Temple 2,000 years ago. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Experience Christianity at its most profound, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the Crucifixion. A complex of different shrines, it is the heart of the Christian Quarter. Yad Vashem Six million Jewish people were murdered in the Holocaust. Pay tribute to them with a visit to Yad Vashem (www.yadvashem.org), Israel's official memorial. The extensive site contains many separate sights and museums - all are deeply moving. Israel Museum The Israel Museum (www.imj.org.il), the country's principal collection of its archaeology and ancient art, houses some of the world's most impressive archaeological discoveries. These include the Dead Sea Scrolls, at the Shrine of the Book. Museum of the Jewish Diaspora Music, textiles, reconstructions and film footage at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (www.bh.org.il) convey the cultural diversity of the Jewish people during the 2,000 years of worldwide diaspora. Caesarea Have fun while learning about Israel's kaleidoscope of history at the fascinating seafront ruins of Caesarea (www.caesarea.org.il), once a great Roman city, with later Byzantine and Crusader sections. Wander marked paths or visit the Caesarea Experience multimedia presentation. Masada (Mezada) There are breathtaking views of the Dead Sea, the Negev Desert and the mountains of Moab from the ruins of the Palace of King Herod high on the ridge of Masada (Mezada), where Jews fighting Romans made their last stand. |
