Jerusalem
is a small town, with many faces and weighted down with history .It
offers an enormous amount to see, whether you are interested in ancient
history , religion or contemporary politics.
Within the city, the third holiest site for Muslims, the Haram al-Sharif
from where Prophet Mohammed rose to heaven is found; as are the Christian
holy sites of Jesus' youth, crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Gates and Walls of the Old City
The magnificent walls of Jerusalem's Old City constitute a living
example of Arab Islamic architecture. The walls surrounding the Old
City were built during the Ottoman period under the direct supervision
of Sultan Suleiman AI Qanouni in 1542. The walls stretch for twelve
miles over an area of two square miles and rise to a height of 40
feet. They contain 43 surveillance towers and 11 gates, seven of which
are presently open.
1- Damascus Gate (Bab al-Amud)
This is the largest, most elaborate and most heavily defended of the
Old City's seven gates. It is also the only one to have been excavated.
2- Jaffa Gate (Bab al-Khalil)
Jaffa Gate is the main western entrance to the Old City .Bab al-Khalil
is very much a tourist gate. The shops around the gate are purely
for tourists. On the right just inside the gate, is one of the city's
best known sites, the Citadel or Tower of David.
3-
Zion Gate
This connects the Armenian Quarter with Mt. Zion, which lies outside
the walls and serves as a border between it and the Jewish Quarter.
4- Dung Gate (Bab Harat al-Magharbeh)
It is the only city gate that leads to the Jewish Quarter as well
as the al-Haram al-Sharif. On the right just inside the gate, the
Ophel Archaeological Gardens capture the whole of Jerusalem's turbulent
history .
5- New Gate ( Bab al-Jadid)
Bab al-Jadid lies at the northwest corner of the Old City .It was
constructed to create access between the Christian Quarter within
the city walls and the new Christian properties outside them
6-
Lions Gate (St. Stephen's Gate -Bab Isbat)
This marl<s the beginning of the Via Dolorosa and is on the eastern
side of the Old City.
7-
Golden Gate
This gate has been sealed since the 1600's and legend has it that
the Messiah will pass through this gate.
The
Citadel (Tower Of David)
The Tower of David is actually the minaret of a mosque built in the
Ottoman period encompassing a couple of towers, walls, ramps and gardens
adjacent to Jaffa Gate. The site is worth taking time to explore.
AI
Haram al-Sharif
The site is the home of two major Islamic Shrines, EI-Aqsa Mosque
and the Dome of the Rock. The site marks the spot where The Prophet
Mohammed flew from Mecca to Jerusalem on a journey the Koran describes
as the furthest -thus the word EI-Aqsa. He then ascended to heaven
leaving his footprint in a stone within the Dome, which can be seen
today. The Haram is considered to be the third most holy site for
Muslims, after Mecca arid Medina.
Western
Wall
The Western Wall (called in Islamic tradition Hait el-Buraq) or
the Wailing Wall, because Jews come here to bemoan the destruction
of their Temple. The plaza in front of the wall, the Magharebah quarter,
was demolished in 1967 and turned into a synagogue.
Via
Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa (Path of Sorrow) is the traditional route Jesus followed
from his condemnation by the Romans to the spot where he was buried
after the crucifixion. The path begins near St. Stephen's Gate, in
the Muslim Quarter, and ends within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,
in the heart of the Christian Quarter. The route is marked by the
14 Stations of the cross.
The
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church Of The Holy Sepulchre is the world's holiest site for Catholic
and Orthodox Christians as it preserves the most holy memories about
the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Six denominations are
situated inside the Church (Greek Orthodox,Roman Catholic, Armenian
Orthodox, Coptic, Ethiopian and Syrian Orthodox) all share control
of the building.
Mount
of Olives
The Mount of Olives rises some 100m to the east of the Old City
across the Kidron Valley. Green, fertile and nowadays dotted with
more churches and shrines than olive trees. Its summit affords a magnificent
view of the whole of Jerusalem, including the sealed Golden Gate of
the Old City and in the other direction, the Judean Desert, the Jordan
Valley and the mountains of Moab. The Mount of Olives is mentioned
as a place where Jesus used to walk over the hill from Bethany to
Jerusalem.
Tomb
of Virgin Mary
The Tomb lies at the bottom of the Mount of Olives at the right of
the path. This is considered to be the site where The Virgin Mary
was entombed. The church was rebuilt in 1130 and since then it has
been shared by the Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts and Muslims.
The site is venerated by Muslims since, on his night journey from
Medina to Jerusalem, The Prophet Mohammed is said to have spotted
a light over Mary's Tomb.
Gardens
of the Gethsemane
Around the Church of All Nations lie the Gardens of the Gethsemane
where tradition says that Jesus prayed the night before he was arrested.
The garden is said to be 2000 years old and within it lie some of
the worlds oldest olive trees as well as a marvelous variety of flowers.
The
Church of All Nations
The Church of All Nations (also known as the Basilica of Agony) is
so named because its construction in 1924 was financed by twelve different
countries. The church is built over two other churches, the Egenia
dating from around 380 A.D., and a Crusader basilica of around 1170
AD The Church is also noted for its Byzantine mosaic floor and the
striking mosaic arches above the entrance.
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