Jerusalem allows you to beautifully ignore, but only on one condition – you need to be in its bright – literally – walls. It allows you to beautifully ignore politics, classical reality and time, allowing each of its guests to experience that very feeling of a break. But the ignorance of the religious nature has become even more perfect – no one will be surprised by the elongated silhouette of a Jew rushing to the synagogue to the accompaniment of the calls of the muezzin from the nearest mosque. Let's talk about the most interesting sights of Jerusalem.

Garden of Gethsemane

The broad bald patch of the Mount of Olives, stretching all the way to the sun-kissed waters of the Kidron Creek, attracts constant attention and becomes the object of frequent visits by people of various professions, religious beliefs, preferences, and everything that distinguishes one individual from another. What is special lies in the bowels of local lands?

It's all about the trees, but not because they are undoubtedly life, but because of their historical affiliation – at least eight are, if not witnesses, then close true observers of events described in detail in the most published and most polemical book in the world in the Bible. It is thanks to the natural features of these trees – to grow again, even if only a fragment of the root remains in the soil – that the modern olive garden has appeared, whose fruits continue to please with wealth.

He appeared exactly at the place where the olive tree used to grow, which was the very silent spy who saw the Savior and his disciples, caught the Last Supper, captured by Leonardo's brush, and looked reproachfully into the eyes of Judas. It is not surprising that today the Garden of Gethsemane is a real shrine, because it was among the crooked olive branches that History once began. The Garden of Gethsemane stands among the stone idols of the past and sacred graves, ready to receive every guest who finds himself in the Old City – the historical part.

Mount Zion

The Promised Land is no longer just a phrase when it comes to Mount Zion, because it was here that the foundations of the temple were destroyed – the very possibility of a home for the Jewish people was destroyed. However, today this hill – Zion can hardly be called a mountain in the full sense of the word – is a constant object of pilgrimage and, in some way, study, but study not by geologists, but by historians and culturologists. Such increased interest is explained, first of all, by the presence of ancient structures with a more than remarkable background.

Perhaps, against the background – colorful to the extreme – the chamber of the Last Supper stands out especially brightly, where the last, infamous meal of the Savior and his disciples took place. This place is literally permeated with the spirit of the ancient Gothic of the eleventh century with its high, lancet silhouettes of windows, sharp peaks of arches and an abundance of columns. Today, of course, the upper chamber is open to the public, however, these open hours are not uniform, so it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the relevant information in advance.

Traveling to the chamber of the Last Supper will not cause such difficulties – buses number 1 and 2, following to the Garbage Gate, and 38 and 20, whose final station is the Jaffa Gate, are ideal for these purposes. Among other buildings, comfortably located on the sloping slopes of Mount Zion, it is also worth noting the Church of St. Peter, which at different times passed to representatives of various faiths, the tomb of King David, whose authenticity continues to cause controversy, and the Monastery of the Assumption – the Assumption of the Mother of God herself and the Apostle John.

Wall of Tears

The ancient foundations of the Temple of Solomon, after the barbaric destruction and painstaking reconstruction through the efforts of the king with a loud pretty name – Herod – became a solid basis for the creation of the Second Temple, also destroyed during the Jewish wars, of which there was not even a memory left, but the temple itself remained – even if fragmentary.

He remained in the guise of the Western Wall or the Wailing Wall, once erected around the temple buildings and standing today at the foot of the mountain. It is noteworthy that the lovingly hewn stones were not fastened with anything – no mortars were used during construction, the stones themselves were installed according to a stepped principle – with a ledge inward, which led to a noticeable slope throughout the entire fifteen-meter height of the wall.

Although the passage to this attraction is free, there are still some nuances that it is better to learn about before visiting this place. There is a certain dress code on the Wailing Wall, which is explained by the canonical significance of this place in a number of religions. For example, if we are talking about men, then when they enter the territory of the shrine, they are required to wear a kippah – a traditional headdress that does not need to be specially purchased – you can just take it at the entrance. A peculiar tradition of visiting the Wailing Wall was the writing of small notes with requests and desires. These notes are placed against the ancient walls in the hope that the message will be heard by the Creator.

Road of Sorrow

The city is not in vain considered the Sacred Land, blessed, scorching, crowded. Here, day after day, history must come to life through the efforts of guides, local merchants and just sympathizers who meet so often, whether it be a taxi, a bar or a quite cozy hotel. However, if some of the sights of this city can and are even worth visiting on your own, since it is quite problematic to confuse them with anything else, then it is better to visit the Road of Sorrow in a complex way, obediently following the guide and carefully listening to what he will strive to convey.

The Road of Sorrow plays a dual role – it is also one of the most “trodden” tourist routes, it is also a sacred place – it is sacred not from the standpoint of geographical accuracy, but from the standpoint of the truth of faith. Scattered along the almost six hundred meter length of this narrow street, and in some places rather encrypted, are fourteen “stations”, each of which measures the next stage of the Savior's journey to Golgotha.

Some of these sections are marked by the presence of belfries, churches, monasteries, but in place of others – it would seem that there is a void that only a talented guide can fill with colors, therefore, including the Road of Sorrow in the list of your future must-see, you should pay attention to this ” excursion quality. There is one more recommended point – it is better to postpone an independent visit to the Road of Sorrow to the early morning, when local merchants and thirsty tourists are not so active.

Damascus Gate

Damascus – and a slightly salty taste of the sea immediately appears on the lips and that very sound close to every traveler – the wind pulls the sails tightly, the waves crash against the bow of the ship with groans. However, it is enough to attribute Jerusalem to such “Damascus” – in any variation or even through a word – and the image changes, turning into a light rocky picture, on which the outlines in the Muslim color already appear surprisingly clearly – aromas and voices of the Arab market seep through the Damascus Gate.

The Damascus Gate was founded by the ancient Romans, traditionally famous for their monumentality and attraction to the high quality of everything that was built during their time. This observation is quite true in relation to the Damascus Gate, which is a large-scale structure with two towers dotted with loopholes and stone carvings. The complex of modern Damascus Gate includes not only the building itself, but also a historical – as you might guess – a museum and a system of underground passages hidden under the earth.

The Damascus Gate, although it can captivate, is still a starting point to a greater extent. It is here that the classic routes begin, which will lead to the Wailing Wall, the Road of Sorrow or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. And this is quite convenient – one should still try not to notice such a voluminous and perfectly preserved structure.

Tycho's house

Most people who love to travel are well aware that visiting the old part of the cities leaves a certain imprint on the overall atmosphere of the trip, because it is in the Old Towns that tourists try to get, practically ignoring other sights. Such an approach can be called criminal when it comes to Jerusalem, because outside the local Old City there are a number of other remarkable places – and one of them is Tycho's house, which was one of the first buildings that went beyond the boundaries of the ancient part of Israel.

This building can be called “young” except against the background of other shrines and places of worship that are located in the Holy Land. Tycho's house is a little over two centuries old, which did not prevent it from becoming the center of the intellectual movement and cultural thought of the twentieth century, and even a century earlier it was the home of one of the most famous swindlers in the world, and such a peculiar tandem also leaves a certain imprint on this place.

The modern house bears the surname of Tycho, a married artist duo whose work is deeply respected not only in Israel itself, but throughout the world, and a brilliant doctor. It is noteworthy, but the fate of this place was determined by the spouses themselves, emphasizing that after their death this house should remain the focus of spiritual life, which happened. The Tycho House, open to the public, hosts numerous cultural and musical events, and is itself a museum with a moving exhibition.

City of David

The “Golden City” traditionally justifies its name, which becomes clear after the first walk, even if it is more of an introductory character. However, everything did not start as magnificently as one would expect – we are, of course, talking about the City of David, whose monumental buildings may well compete in antiquity with those that adorn the modern Old City, because it was here that the foundations of Jerusalem itself were laid.

Today, the program of visiting the City of David is traditionally divided into two components – a walk through the ruins of the ancient city, where excavations continue, and a passage through one of the tunnels built around the tenth century BC. The first part of such a walk, even taking into account the ascent to the watchtowers, will take up to two hours, and a walk along the water supply system will take no more than half an hour.

At the same time, the guests of this place still have a choice – a walk along the Canaam tunnel, which will undoubtedly be drier in the literal sense of the word, or a rather difficult passage along the Ezekiah arm, almost half filled with water.

A visit to the City of David will not be too expensive. An independent walk can cost a maximum of 30 ILS, while a walk with kind guide comments will cost twice as much on average. But it already depends on the personal preferences of each person. But it's quite possible to get here on your own – passing through the Garbage Gate in the Old Town to the left and turning onto the nearest street on the right side.

Akeldama

Many temples and palaces – even the streets were soaked in blood in the literal sense of the word. It will not be possible to escape from history, as well as from the cruel ghosts of the past, however, even here there is a place in which this very sorrow is literally poured into the air – sorrow and sublime religious pathos. Akeldama is the Land of Blood, although there were no large-scale wars and diseases raging on this place.

It just became clear at some point that because of the sacred “profile” something would have to be changed – the city was literally flooded with pilgrims who traveled enormous distances, which was not always easy, and therefore the city was also flooded with corpses. In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases, Akeldama was created – the largest cemetery in the world, which is a real historical treasure.

It is also noteworthy that its appearance is still unclear – who, when and why decided to create Akeldama? However, both versions that exist today are strongly associated with the notorious thirty pieces of silver. Today, the entrance to the territory of Akeldama does not require the presentation of tickets, however, at the entrance it is recommended to make a donation in favor of the Land of Blood.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The highest status among the numerous shrines of Israel traditionally has the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where the most dramatic events in the mortal life of the Savior took place – crucifixion, burial and, accordingly, resurrection. It is not surprising that over its centuries-old history, the temple has changed its appearance more than a dozen times, passing under the rule of representatives of various faiths, experiencing cataclysms and fires. It is noteworthy, but the main shrine of modern Christianity was rebuilt on pagan “bones” – the foundation was the remains of the temple of Venus.

The territory of the modern temple complex includes three main buildings – one for each of the events listed above – and is conditionally divided into six parts, each of which is under the control of representatives of different religious schools, which often leads to mutual discontent and quarrels.

When visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the most exciting thing is a small cave carved into a solid rock – the last bed of Jesus Christ. A marble “sheet” is laid on this stone bed, which should prevent the attempts of fans and too greedy tourists to chip off a piece of the divine for a long memory.

A visit to the modern temple complex is free. Entrance here is open from five in the morning until eight in the evening with slight variations depending on the time of year. When choosing a time to visit, you should also take into account that services of different faiths take place at different hours.

Rockefeller Archaeological Museum

“Jerusalem needs a museum!” – this is the conclusion that J. Breasted, who studied the culture of the East and taught at the University of Chicago, came to this conclusion, visiting suffocating Palestine at the break of 1925. Jerusalem is a huge treasury, which in the eyes of archaeologists turns into a real festive table, but there was no professional institution that would deal with the processing and systematization of the accumulated information, as well as its popularization.

This prompted the scientist J. Breasted, respected in historical circles, to appeal to the equally respected but already in philanthropic circles businessman J. Rockefeller, who quite vividly responded to this request.

To be a museum – everything, including the suspension of construction, quite clearly hinted at this, no matter how paradoxical it may sound. It was on the site of the modern building of the museum that the oldest tombs and a unique collection of artifacts were discovered, which today have become part of the museum exposition, joining the ranks of the oldest and most valuable samples. The modern museum contains artifacts that were found not only in Jerusalem, but also in Megiddo, Samaria, and so on.

Entrance to the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum is free, which makes it undoubtedly more popular among tourists. You can get to it by taking buses one, three or fifty-one, but it’s better to get acquainted with the work schedule additionally – the museum ends its work at different times (usually in the afternoon), but it always starts at ten o’clock in the morning.

Golden Gate

The majestic Golden Gate in the fortress wall of Old Jerusalem is the oldest and now the only immured gate of the city. According to biblical tradition, it was through them that Jesus Christ entered the city on a donkey. The locals solemnly welcomed the Messiah, believing that he would save them from Roman oppression. The people spread palm branches and their robes on the path of the Savior.

In the 15th century, after the conquest of Jerusalem by Islamic troops, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ordered the Golden Gate to be laid with stones and a Muslim cemetery to be built in front of them. According to tradition, this was done deliberately to prevent the entry of the Messiah into the city at this place during his second coming to earth.

The tightly sealed Golden Gate consists of two arches. The relief ornaments of the vaults and columns provide tourists with the opportunity to determine where the sacred entrance for the Messiah was located. The arches have eloquent names: “arch of mercy” and “arch of remorse”.

lion gate

The decoration of the eastern part of the fortress wall is the Lion Gate. The construction was founded in the 16th century by the decree of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The ruler of the Ottoman Empire saw in a dream a terrible warning for himself – if he causes any harm to the city and the inhabitants, then terrible lions will tear him to pieces.

The superstitious sultan believed the vision and renounced his desire to raze Jerusalem to the ground. Suleiman the Magnificent was angry at the townspeople who opposed paying taxes to the Ottoman caliph. After a prophetic dream, the ruler canceled the collection of exorbitant tribute and ordered the construction of a high limestone wall around the city in order to protect the population from enemy raids.

The Lion Gates form a single architectural ensemble with a fortification powerful jagged stone wall. The attraction got its name in the 19th century in connection with the bas-reliefs depicting the kings of beasts on both sides of the gate.

Western Wall Tunnel

In the 19th century, British archaeologists discovered a unique tunnel that runs under the main holy place for the Jews of the whole world – the Wailing Wall. This is a whole underground complex of labyrinths, which is a network of long narrow galleries with stone arched vaults and monumental walls made of giant monolithic blocks.

The history of the impressive tunnel goes back over 2000 years. The Biblical King Herod decided to expand the area of the Temple Mount by adding a nearby hill to it. For this, four retaining walls were erected, inside which the engineers built a system of arched corridors. After the destruction by the Romans, the space along the walls was filled with the rubble of buildings. The ground level rose several meters.

Taking a walk along the grandiose underground corridor, tourists can see the most valuable artifacts. Noteworthy is a stone block weighing more than 500 tons and about 14 meters long, as well as a cave synagogue, an underground water channel and ritual pools.

Valley of Hinnom

Between Mount Zion and the Abu Tor region, a deep gorge stretches for 2700 meters, which has gained sinister fame over many centuries. The picturesque area is well known thanks to biblical scriptures. This is the Valley of Hinnom or Hellfire. In religious beliefs, this historical place began to symbolize the threshold of hell. Rites of pagan sacrifices were held here, and later the bodies of executed criminals and city garbage were burned.

The incessantly blazing flames and the characteristic smells of burnt meat filled him with a suffocating miasma. This served as the basis for the origin of the legend of Gehenna fiery. The locals assumed that the restless souls of people lived there and tried to bypass the damned place.

Today, the Valley of Hinnom is especially popular with tourists who want to experience a frightening and forbidden atmosphere. Rocky slopes with crevices are sparsely covered with grass and coniferous vegetation. Walking along the gorge, you can see the ruins of ancient crypts and ancient monasteries.

Holocaust Memorial Complex “Yad Vashem”

On the forested slope of Herzl Hill is the world-famous national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. This place is dedicated to the memory of the representatives of the Jewish people who became victims of Nazism during the Second World War. The museum complex is an area of 18 hectares. There are exhibition pavilions with historical artifacts, art installations, photographs.

The expositions are designed to perpetuate evidence of the tragic events of the 20th century. The well-groomed alleys of the park of the memorial complex are full of soulful sculptural compositions, obelisks and monuments. The central object of the museum is the Hall of Memory. In a monumental building in the form of a tent with basalt walls, the Eternal Flame burns. On the black floor are engraved the names of twenty concentration camps where Jews were held and exterminated.

Via Dolorosa

Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world visit Old Jerusalem to make the procession along the stone-paved Via Dolorosa. According to the scripture, the last earthly path of Jesus Christ ran along it. After pronouncing the verdict of the procurator Pontius Pilate, the Savior was taken to the place of the demonstration execution on the hill of Golgotha.

Jesus with an excessively heavy cross on his shoulders walked under the escort of Roman soldiers. All this time, Christ suffered from unbearable pain, showered with reproaches from the crowd. The modern Via Dolorosa strikes with its routine and bustle. There are numerous shops along the road. Market stalls with sellers of various goods and a large flow of people make it difficult to feel the atmosphere of a mournful path that is significant for all Christians.

Despite this, the street retains its spiritual essence, since nine of the fourteen stops of Jesus Christ are located here. Significant places of standing of the Savior are marked by chapels.

Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives

The oldest and most revered Jewish cemetery in the world is located on the slope of the Mount of Olives. The first burials appeared here about 2500 years ago. The cemetery occupies a multi-level territory. Slabs, tombstones and crypts are made of Jerusalem stone, brightly shining in the rays of the sun.

There are more than 150 thousand graves in the cemetery, among which there are the tombs of the Old Testament prophets. Land for burials was bought out for many decades ahead by the richest people on the planet. The cost of the place starts from one million dollars.

The most important biblical events are connected with the Mount of Olives. Here Jesus Christ prayed, preached and ascended to heaven. There is a legend that it is from this cemetery that the resurrection from the dead will begin, when the Messiah again ascends the Mount of Olives.

Viewpoint of the Mount of Olives

One of the most significant natural sights of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, attracts the attention of tourists. At its top there is a popular observation deck, from where it is recommended to start exploring the views of the ancient city. It is the largest hill in the Holy Land, reaching about 800 meters above sea level.

The panoramic terrace offers a magnificent panorama of Old Jerusalem. Domes, spiers and minarets of temples, silhouettes of modern buildings, the Kidron Valley, as well as legendary architectural monuments such as the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock appear before the eyes of tourists.

garden grave

For Protestants, the true place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Garden Grave. It was discovered at the end of the 19th century by British General Charles Gordon in the Arab quarter. An English army officer and passionate student of biblical writings sincerely believed that the rocky area, the crevices of which resemble a human skull, was the real hill of Golgotha.

Archaeological excavations followed the discovery of the Garden Grave. In addition to the ancient tomb, a huge reservoir for irrigating the garden, an oil press and the remains of a winery were found in the cave. All this corresponded to the description of the burial place of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Studies by other scientists have shown that the Garden Grave most likely dates back to the 8th-6th centuries BC.

Around the alternative sacred place there is a picturesque garden with green alleys, well-groomed paths and flower beds. Here, tourists can relax on a bench under the crowns of trees, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Tomb of the Virgin

At the foot of the Mount of Olives in the Kidron Valley is one of the greatest Christian shrines – the Tomb of the Virgin. At the burial place of the mother of Jesus Christ in the 4th century AD, under Emperor Constantine, a Byzantine basilica was erected. Subsequently, the church was destroyed and was restored only in the XII century by the crusaders.

The current cult building is a cruciform structure carved in a deep cave. Its length is 34 meters. Above the surface is only a modest arched portal with a Gothic pediment. A wide stone staircase of 48 steps leads the parishioners to a room filled with gospel antiquity.

The only decorations of the interior of the tomb are hundreds of lamps of various sizes, mounted on vaulted ceilings. Soot-smoked gray walls give a special ambience to the halls of the church. Numerous ancient icons in gold and silver frames evoke feelings of grace.

Mosque “Dome of the Rock”

The most famous Muslim shrine rises on the Temple Mount, framed by high stone walls. This is the mosque “Dome of the Rock”, which is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The religious building was erected at the end of the 7th century on a stone ledge, from where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The octagonal building with arcaded galleries is crowned with a majestic golden dome twenty meters in diameter, which dominates the architectural ensemble of the Old Town. The total height of the building is 34 meters. The facade of the temple is lined with colorful multi-colored ceramic tiles that form intricate patterns. Numerous arched windows are decorated with intricate stained-glass windows.

The inner space of the mosque is filled with two rows of marble columns that surround the sacred Stone. The interiors are saturated with patterned mosaic ornaments of arched galleries with decorative elements of wood carving.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Mosque, together with the Dome of the Rock shrine, constitutes a highly significant unified religious Islamic complex on the Temple Mount. This is one of the greatest shrines in terms of importance among the Muslim prayer houses of the world. The construction of the mosque was completed in 705. It consists of seven majestic galleries. The central part of the structure is crowned with a dome covered with lead plates. The facade of the mosque is decorated with more than a hundred arched window openings with stained-glass windows.

The imposing main hall of the al-Aqsa Mosque can accommodate about 5,000 worshipers. It is divided by marble columns. The floors are covered with red carpets. Arched galleries, walls and ceilings are painted with bright patterned ornaments. The inside of the dome is decorated with a mosaic panel.

Basilica of Saint Anne

At the beginning of Via Dolorosa, next to the Lion's Gate, is the Catholic Basilica of St. Anne. The Romanesque church was erected in 1142 during the reign of the crusaders on the site where the parents of the Virgin Mary, Joachim and Anna, used to live. The church with massive walls and protruding vertical pillars outwardly resembles an impregnable medieval fortress.

The facade of the basilica is decorated with arched windows and a portal. The interior of the chapel is distinguished by its ascetic appearance. The three aisles of the basilica are separated by an arched gallery. The marble altar, elaborate carvings and high vaulted ceilings make a strong impression on the congregation.

Temple of All Nations

On the outskirts, next to the Garden of Gethsemane, rises the Catholic Church of All Nations, built thanks to the joint donations of twelve states of the world. The church was erected in the first half of the 20th century on the sacred place where Jesus Christ spent the last earthly night on the eve of his arrest.

One of the most magnificent basilicas attracts attention with its luxurious mosaic panel on the pediment depicting scenes from the last days of the life of the Savior. The roof of the building is crowned with twelve gray domes. The façade is decorated with three arches supported by Corinthian columns. On the capitals of the columns there are four sculptures of the authors of the canonical Gospel.

Vaulted ceilings painted with intricate ornaments, colorful frescoes, bright stained-glass window openings, massive pink marble columns give the interior of the temple a peaceful and solemn flavor. In the church there is a fragment of the rock in front of which Jesus Christ prayed, foreseeing his sufferings. The stone is surrounded by an iron forged fence in the form of crowns of thorns.

Monastery of the Assumption of Our Lady

On the top of Mount Zion is the monastery of the Assumption of Our Lady, erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The construction of the majestic monastery complex was started at the end of the 19th century by German Catholics. According to scripture, the abbey is located in the place where the ascension of Our Lady to heaven took place.

The monumental round building of the monastery is built of light brick. The building looks like a medieval castle with towers, narrow windows and a cone-shaped roof. In the rather ascetic interior of the abbey, the main altar with six chapels decorated with unique mosaic panels deserves attention.

The main treasure of the shrine is located in the crypt. It houses a sculpture of the Mother of God, made of ivory and wood. The statue rests on a sacred stone, which became the last bed of the Virgin Mary.

Zion Chamber

According to Christian tradition, the famous Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples took place in the spacious upper room of one of the houses on the top of Mount Zion. On the eve of his arrest, the Messiah commanded the future apostles to find a comfortable and secluded place to perform the sacred sacrament of turning bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord.

The name of the owner of the house, who was not afraid to provide a room for Jesus and his followers during the Roman persecution, is not known for certain. It is known that only wealthy citizens could build houses on Mount Zion. The Zion Upper Room became the prototype of the first Christian churches.

The room of the Last Supper has not been preserved in its original form. The current two-storey building of the chamber was erected by the crusaders in the 12th century. The hall where the sacral dinner took place is a reconstruction of a religious event. Gothic arches, columns and windows, snow-white ceiling vaults, stone floors, as well as stucco elements allow you to feel the special atmosphere of a sacred place.

St. Peter's Church in Gallicantu

On the east side of Mount Zion rises the magnificent Basilica of St. Peter in Gallicantu. The church was erected in the 30s of the 20th century on the spot where the Apostle Peter denied Jesus Christ three times. The name of the church means in Latin – “at the crowing of a rooster.” According to biblical scripture, the Savior warned his disciple that he would betray him before the rooster crowed.

The Apostle Peter promised the Teacher to follow him to prison and to death. When Jesus was seized, the discouraged disciple was lost in the crowd. Three people recognized Peter as a disciple of Christ, but he swore that he did not know the Savior. This gospel event is dedicated to the Roman Catholic Church.

Peter's Basilica is an equilateral cross topped with a massive dome. Arched walls, stained-glass windows, patterned ornaments, original relief masonry and wall frescoes stand out on the facade of the temple. The interiors of the shrine are decorated with ceiling paintings and picturesque mosaic panels depicting biblical scenes.

Our Father Church

Among the shrines of the Mount of Olives, the church dedicated to the prayer “Our Father” deserves attention. The Catholic basilica was erected over the alleged cave in which Jesus Christ taught his disciples the word of prayer. Historical facts testify that the first church “Our Father” was founded in the 4th century at the behest of Empress St. Helena. In 614, the shrine was destroyed by the invading Persian warriors.

The revival of the temple took place in the 19th century thanks to a financial investment by a noble lady from France, Aurelia de Bossy. The unpretentious structure is decorated with a Gothic arcade gallery with a vaulted ceiling. The main architectural detail of the Church “Our Father” are ceramic plates with prayers written in different languages. In total, there are about 140 such tablets.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene

Picturesquely rises among the high evergreen forest on the slope of the Mount of Olives, the pearl of Russian Orthodox architecture – the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The church was founded in the second half of the 19th century on the initiative of Emperor Alexander III in honor of his mother Maria Alexandrovna.

The majestic church is built of sand-colored Jerusalem stone. The religious building is crowned with seven golden domes of different sizes and a hipped bell tower. The facade of the church is richly decorated with zakomaras, elements of carved ornamentation and square recesses.

The interior of the temple strikes and captivates with its splendor. The wall ornamental paintings, amazing frescoes and the marble iconostasis cause delight. On the wall of the altar you can see a colorful panel – “St. Mary Magdalene in front of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.”

Knesset

The symbol of the legislative branch of the Republic of Israel is the Knesset. Here, the servants of the people adopt legislative acts, form a coalition government, and elect the prime minister and president. The Knesset has 120 members who are directly elected by the nation.

The impressive seven-story building of the Parliament is a concrete rectangular parallelepiped. The walls are lined with Jerusalem limestone. Each side of the facade of the building is decorated with ten columns that support the protruding peak of the roof. Any citizen and tourist can enter the Knesset to appreciate the sumptuous interiors of the building.

High ceilings, marble walls, snow-white columns and collections of art objects placed in the premises of the building attract the attention of visitors. The well-known French artist of Jewish origin Marc Chagall worked on the design of one of the halls. The master created floor and wall mosaic panels, and also created magnificent tapestries.

Mahane Yehuda Market

Along with numerous religious shrines and architectural monuments, the main market of the old district of the city, Mahane Yehuda, is very popular among tourists. This is a whole block full of labyrinths of shops and stores. In the Mahane Yehuda market, it is impossible not to feel the local atmosphere of Arabic flavor. Here, artistic sellers loudly invite buyers and advertise their colorful goods. The cloying aromas of countless delicacies dizzy the heads of the scurrying multinational gang of people.

From a variety of vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, sweets, olives, fish, spices, pastries, souvenirs, dishes, jewelry and other products, even the most sophisticated culinary specialists and shoppers run up their eyes. On the territory of the bazaar there are modern eateries, cozy restaurants, bars and pastry shops.

Bible Lands Museum

Antiquities connoisseurs who wish to expand their cultural palette of impressions from their stay are advised to visit the popular Israel Museum of Bible Lands. The institution has priceless archaeological artifacts symbolizing the thousand-year history, philosophy and religion of the peoples of the Middle East.

An impressive collection of relics is housed in a modern building made of Jerusalem limestone. The complex consists of two wings, between which there is a glazed part of the building, which serves as the entrance to the museum. The exposition of the gallery consists of 21 thematic departments.

Among the artifacts of interest are clay and ceramic products, ancient manuscripts, dishes, figurines of idols, seals, weapons, coins, city models, household items and various works of art. Among the unique specimens of the museum fund are jewelry, Egyptian sarcophagi and relief images on stones. Some exhibits are more than three thousand years old.

Israel Museum

In the socio-political center is one of the main cultural institutions of the city – the Israel Museum. The collection of the museum fund consists of half a million archaeological, artistic, anthropological, ethnographic relics, as well as paraphernalia of Judaism. The complex occupies an impressive area of 50 thousand square meters. meters.

Numerous exhibits give an idea of the thousand-year-old wisdom of the people of Israel, their customs and cultural values. The expositions are striking in their diversity. Here you can see masterpieces of household items, a collection of dishes, jewelry, carved furniture, unique manuscripts, elegant clothes, sculptural compositions, paintings by different generations of artists, and even interior elements of synagogues.

Bloomfield Science Museum

A visit to the Bloomfield Science Museum will leave a wonderful experience for adults and children. This is an exhibition of interactive exhibits, interaction with which will allow you to understand the patterns of the universe. In an accessible and entertaining way, they clearly demonstrate various laws of physics, chemistry, electricity, as well as the principles of operation of various technical devices. The museum covers an area of over 5,000 square meters.

The complex is represented by various laboratories filled with mechanisms and models of various designs and purposes. To conduct scientific experiments, the exhibits must be touched, pressed, twirled, thrown, pushed, rocked and nailed. Some specimens are driven by a sunbeam or a magnetic field.

The unique kinematic theater “Sharmanka” enjoys particular success with visitors to the museum. Young viewers will see various characters assembled from fragments of furniture that move, dance and sing.

Montefiori Museum “Moshe's Mill”

In the 19th century, the British financier and banker of Jewish origin Moshe Montefiori equipped the first quarter outside the walls of Old Jerusalem. Being a generous philanthropist, he bought a plot of land from a wealthy Muslim. After that, surrounded by a picturesque garden, the construction of residential buildings and synagogues began.

The most notable building of the new district was a miracle of technology of its time – a windmill. It was supposed to provide the local population with cheap flour. However, the good idea of the British banker failed. The mill did not grind a handful of flour, because the place chosen for it turned out to be calm.

Today, the building is a monument and decoration of a quiet, cozy park, immersed in the greenery of trees and bright flowers. Inside the mill there is a small museum dedicated to the life of Moshe Montefiori. Books, photographs, paintings, documents and personal belongings of the revered benefactor are stored here.

Mayer Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art offers its visitors to get acquainted with a magnificent collection of oriental antiquities. Nine halls of the complex house a rich collection of historical artifacts reflecting the cultural values and traditions of different civilizations of the Muslim world – from Europe to Asia.

These are fabrics, ceramics, dishes, clothes, weapons, household items, jewelry, works of art and other antiques. The museum is dedicated to the memory of Professor and Rector of the Hebrew University Lev Mayer. The scientist devoted his life to the study of Islamic art. The opening of the exhibition took place in 1974.

Among the exhibits, a collection of luxurious jewelry adorned with precious stones, gold, emeralds, pearls and diamonds commands respect. Here you can see belts, bracelets, earrings, hairpins, rings and tiaras. Entire halls are devoted to cold and firearms, clockwork, skillfully painted household items and ancient manuscripts.

Museum of Jewish Heritage “Heykhal Shlomo”

Heikhal Shlomo is a 1958 building that served for a long time as the residence of the main council of the Rabbinate of Israel. Today it is one of the popular museums, which is dedicated to the centuries-old history of the development of the culture of the Jewish people. Here are collected exhibits of ethnographic and artistic value.

Ritual household items, furniture, jewelry, clothing, manuscripts, books, paintings and other artifacts are on public display. The first floor of the museum is occupied by a small synagogue. Its walls are decorated with stained-glass windows. The central object of the shrine is the Ark of the Covenant, brought from the Italian synagogue. The Ark contains the oldest parchment scrolls.

Zedekiah Cave

Below the Arab quarter is one of the largest artificial caves in Israel. This is the cave of Zedekiah, named after the last Jewish king. Legend has it that the king tried to escape through this tunnel during a Babylonian siege in the 6th century BC. Here he was captured, blinded and shackled. Drops of water falling from the high ceiling of the cave are known as the “tears of Zedekiah.”

An amazing man-made structure is striking in its size. The area of the mysterious dungeon is 9000 square meters. Since ancient times, the cave served as a quarry, where white limestone was mined for the construction of temples. In the 16th century, its entrance was walled up and reopened only in 1854.
Today the cave is a popular tourist attraction.

The cave consists of halls, corridors and nooks and crannies, extending tens of meters deep. Each stone located there is saturated with the history of mankind.

bible zoo

A few kilometers from the central area, on the picturesque slope of the canyon, there is a biblical zoo. For a variety of representatives of the animal world, natural habitat conditions are recreated. The zoo covers an area of 25 hectares. Spacious enclosures are grassy lawns with boulders, jungle, savannah and desert. An artificial pond, a waterfall, a terrarium and a greenhouse give a special amazing atmosphere to the area.

Visitors to the zoo will get acquainted with numerous animals. These are bears, kangaroos, penguins, giraffes, hippos, tapirs, lemurs. Here you can also see zebras, lions, tigers, elephants, leopards, monkeys and rhinos. Crocodiles, turtles and other amphibians splash in separate terrariums.

string bridge

One of the modern architectural sights is the railway-pedestrian cable-stayed String Bridge. It was erected at the beginning of the XXI century. The original building delights tourists and locals with its amazing shape, reminiscent of a huge steel harp. This is the creation of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who was tasked by the Jerusalem authorities to build the most beautiful bridge in the world to solve the city's transport problem.

The structure is supported by a single supporting mast, towering 119 meters. From the massive parabolic pylon, like the strings of a harp, snow-white steel strands of cables diverge. The total length of the structure is 360 meters. The bridge became the tallest architectural object in the city. A tram line runs along it, as well as a pedestrian road.