Things to do in Jerusalem

Israel is compact in size, and daytrips are possible to almost anywhere in the country including to Tel Aviv, Akko and Haifa. The Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights are also easily accessible, though none can match the immense array of attractions offered by Jerusalem itself. The Old City contains many sites of religious significance and much of the country’s identity and character is captured by the different quarters of this district, which include Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim elements.

Temple Mount

Temple Mount (Har Habayit in Hebrew, Al Haram ash-Sharif in Arabic), is held in esteem by devotees of both Islam and Judaism. It’s a natural hill, which was artificially augmented to support the immense Jewish Temple that was positioned here during Biblical times. Temple Mount is a major focus of the Jewish religion, and Jews around the world face Temple Mount when praying, in a manner not dissimilar to the way Muslims face Mecca.

Muslims believe that Muhammad ascended to Heaven here, and constructed the impressive Dome of the Rock in remembrance. The huge golden dome is one of Jerusalem’s most renowned landmarks and is a popular attraction for tourists. Also on Temple Mount is the Al Aqsa Mosque, which is the oldest mosque in Israel and a popular place of worship for Muslims. Website: www.al-aqsa.com (Islamic site), or: www.templemount.org (Jewish site).

Western Wall

The Western Wall or Wailing Wall is situated on one side of a huge plaza at the base of Temple Mount. The Jews chant lamentations on Tisha b’Av here, the annual fast, in remembrance of the destruction of the temple. The Western Wall is built from massive blocks of golden stone, and is a surviving section of the outer retaining walls of the Second Temple that was constructed in 30BC by Herod.

The wall has been the holiest centre of prayer for Jews since the destruction of the temple by the Romans in AD 70. Jews arrive from around the globe to pray here and place notes, with hopes and dreams, in the cracks of the wall.

Citadel or Tower of David

The elegant stone tower rises above the ancient walls of the Old City and is almost as renowned an image of Jerusalem as the Dome of the Rock. The citadel was a fortress for Herod the Great, and it was constructed in the 1st century BC, hence it has been central to Jerusalem’s defence structure for more than two millennia. The current building mostly dates from the Middle Ages, and houses the impressive Museum of the History of Jerusalem, which documents the entire history of the city. A splendid panorama of the city can be enjoyed from the citadel’s main tower, the Phasael, which is accessible near the Jaffa Gate. Website: www.towerofdavid.org.il.

Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa (Road of Sorrow) is where Jesus is believed to have walked, when carrying the cross to his crucifixion at Calvary or Golgotha. The trail commences at the Lion’s Gate and then routes through the Muslim Quarter to the Calvary at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Fourteen Stations of the Cross mark the way and at a number of these stations, churches have been erected. Thousands of Christians follow the road every year, believing that they are following in the steps of Christ.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This church houses the last five Stations of the Cross of the Via Dolorosa, and is the most revered Christian site in Jerusalem. After entering the church, a stairway to the right brings visitors to the Chapel of Golgotha and three Stations of the Cross, where Jesus was stripped, crucified and taken down from the cross. The Sepulchre, where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected, is at the centre of the church, while downstairs in the Angel’s Chapel, visitors can study the site where the resurrected Christ is supposed to have revealed himself to Mary Magdalene. The site was first chosen by Queen Helena in the 4th century, though much of the current structure dates from the period of the Crusades.

Yad Vashem

This is the world’s most important Holocaust memorial. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits, which include museums, memorials, sculptures and a research centre. The tree-lined Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations pays homage to non-Jews who helped Jews during these times, and leads on to the Historical Museum, where the events of Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’ are traced.

Visitors can pay their respects to the dead at The Hall of Remembrance, and visit the Children’s Memorial, where the names of over one million children murdered in the Holocaust are continuously read out. Website: www.yad-vashem.org.il.

Mount of Olives

Rising up above the city walls is the Mount of Olives, which is part of a range of hills that surround Jerusalem. The site is of spiritual significance to both Jews and Christians, as both faiths believe that the resurrection of the dead will begin on the Mount of Olives. The Garden of Gethsemane and the reputed tomb of the Mother Mary are also located at the foot of the slope.

Museums

Jerusalem is replete with museums. The Israel Museum is probably the most renowned. It contains a large collection of art and archaeological artefacts, and also showcases the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Rockefeller Museum is the city's archaeological museum, while Ticho House exhibits some tremendous art collections in a historical building. The Tower of David Museum is the principal municipal museum, and includes models of the city and a historical overview of the region. The Islamic Museum is situated in the Old City, while the Islamic Art Museum can be found near the president's house.