Located at the center of Palestine, it is no wonder why Jerusalem is a prominent World Heritage site. A tour of this ancient Biblical city will unravel pages of timeless history and culture seldom seen elsewhere in the world. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem has been a crossing bridge for many ancient civilizations, each leaving its distinct mark on the city; beginning with the Canaanites, the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Hebrews, and Romans to the Arab conquests, the Crusaders, and the Ottoman Turks. This unique cultural diversity is more evident in the many names these civilizations have bestowed upon the city: Urusalim, Yerushalayim, Aelia Capitolina, Beit Al-Maqdis, or Al-Quds, and finally, its universal moniker—Jerusalem.
Jerusalem's international reputation as a unique holy place stems from the fact that it's the cradle of the three Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Besieged 23 times and attacked 52, Jerusalem has been a strategic magnet for conquerors that have captured and recaptured the city some 44 times throughout its unique history.
Jerusalem's renowned Old City is surrounded by a symbolic defensive wall built by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the 16th century. The fortified wall has seven gates that have made the city famous throughout its history: Jaffa Gate, known in Arabic as Bab Al Khalil; Herod's Gate (Bab Assahera), the New Gate (Bab Al Jadeed), Zion Gate (Bab Harat Al Yahud), the Dung Gate (Bab Al Magharba), the Lion's Gate (Bab Al Asbat) with its notable carved lions, and the most impressive of all, Damascus Gate or Bab Al Amood, with its staircases and colorful street vendors.
The Old City is divided into four quarters: the Armenian, the Christian, the Jewish, and the Muslim Quarters. Today, Jerusalem extends beyond the Old City's boundaries and is divided into East and West Jerusalem.
The city is well served by transport and is easily accessible by road. It is 53 km away from the Allenby Bridge, 49 km from Ben Gurion Airport, and 180 km from the Sheikh Hussein Bridge border crossing.
Top Tourist Attractions
- Al Aqsa Mosque. The third holiest site in Islam and is located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.
- The Dome of the Rock. The Golden Dome that Dominates Jerusalem's skyline. In Islam, it is the site where Prophet Mohammad's ascended to heaven after his miraculous one-night journey from Mecca.
- The Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The holiest site in Christendom where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
- Garden of Gethsemane. A beautiful popular site for meditation and prayer for Christians.
- Via Dolorosa. The infamous route where Christ carried the cross from the Roman fortress to the site of his crucifixion. This is the route thousands of pilgrims flock during the holy week.
- Mount of Olives. This emblematic Hill boasts a view of the Old City in addition to a beautiful panoramic vista that extends towards the Dead Sea.
- Church of all Nations. A colorful church whose gardens are filled with some of the world's oldest olive trees. It is believed that Christ spent his last night there.
- The Kidron Valley and the Tomb of Virgin Mary. The Kirdon Valley is known for its rock-hewn tombs, which date back to over three millennia.
- The Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Saint Mary is believed to have been built over the tomb of the Virgin Mary.
- Western Wall and Jewish Quarter. Commonly called the Wailing Wall due to the people's lament for the loss of the temple in AD 70, it is now the holiest site in Judaism and has been a place of pilgrimage for the Jewish people since the Ottoman era.