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Jerusalem
No Israel tour would be complete without a visit to the holy city of Jerusalem. Throughout the ages, Jerusalem has been the symbol of Jewish identity. The Old City of Jerusalem is home to the three great monotheistic religions, while the New City of Jerusalem has a fascinating urban fabric of vastly differing neighborhoods, secular and religious. Jerusalem is also a center of government and culture, and its lofty elevation offers wonderful breezes – a welcome respite from the sticky, stifling summer heat of Israel’s coastal plain.
The Old City of Jerusalem
The Old City of Jerusalem and its four quarters contain some of the most important sites to the three monotheistic religions. The Wailing or Western Wall, known in Hebrew as “Hakotel,” is located in the Jewish Quarter. It is the last remnant of the ancient Jewish Temples that stood here over 2000 years ago. The Western Wall forms the boundary between the Jewish Quarter and Temple Mount, where the Dome of the Rock, one of the holiest sites to Islam, is located. For many visitors the Western Wall is the highlight of a tour of Israel.
The Jewish Quarter A short walk from the Western Wall, near Dung Gate, is the Jerusalem Archeological Park and the Ophel, which, during the first temple period, probably contained administrative and public buildings. Also in the park is the magnificent Davidson Center, which, through a combination of archeological artifacts and audio and visual aids, tells the history of Temple Mount, and Mount Moriah where, according to biblical tradition, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac in an act of faith.
Also in the Jewish Quarter is the Cardo, a reconstructed street dating back to the sixth century. The street is columned along its entire length, and one section is a restored arcade with galleries and shops. In the heart of the Jewish Quarter is Hurva Square, and in its center is the Hurva Synagogue, the main place of worship for Jews in Jerusalem from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. Also in the Jewish Quarter is the Wohl Archeological Museum, exhibiting remains of Jewish houses from the period of Herod the Great (73-4 BC).
The New City of Jerusalem
The New City of Jerusalem has extremely diverse neighborhoods, religious and secular, a bustling market, and plenty of cafes and restaurants. The city offers a wide variety of dinning cuisines to fit every pocket and taste, which can be found in our list of recommended restaurants in Jerusalem. The town center is located on and around Jaffa Road, which runs east to west, from the Old City’s Jaffa Gate to the central bus station near the city’s exit.
Noted Jerusalem Neighborhoods
Northwest of Jerusalem's Old City Walls is the fascinating neighborhood of Meah Shearim. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Jerusalem, Meah Shearim is populated almost entirely by ultra orthodox Jews. Modest dress in required in order to enter the neighborhood, and conspicuous group visits and photography are discouraged. The beautiful neighborhoods of Rehavia and Talbieh, located south of Jaffa Road and west of the Old City, are worth a visit for their serenity, and the beautiful Mediterranean architecture, which perfectly complements the city’s undulating contours.
Places of Interest in Jerusalem
Israel Tours in Jerusalem almost always include a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, and its very moving children’s memorial. The Israel Museum, located near the Knesset, (Israel’s parliament houses) has a wide range of exhibits, from prehistoric artifacts through to contemporary art. Nearby, the shrine of the book houses the extraordinary Dead Sea Scrolls, the most important documented evidence of early Jewish religious belief and practice. Finally, Mount Scopus, located to the north of the city, offers glorious panoramic views of Jerusalem and the Judean desert.
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