With a rich history that dates to biblical times, Jerusalem was and remains as one of Israel’s most fascinating locations. Those who arrive to the holy land cannot skip its capital’s wonderful historical sites, and the following are 10 of the most notable spots in the city that made history:
Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount)
According to ancient scripture, Haram Al-Sharif is where Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice to god. In Jerusalem’s old city is the pinacol of Haram Al-Sharif, the Dome of the Rock, a place with historic significance to Jews and Muslims. While entry to the Dome of the Rock is restricted, you can watch the glittering gold dome and its surrounding Plaza from nearby locations, and it is a sight you will not soon forget.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
According to Pilgrim Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the final spot of the Via Dolorosa and the place where Jesus was crucified. The original church was built in 335 AD and destroyed in 1009. It was rebuilt in the 11th century, and it is a beautiful site with a historical significance that strikes a chord with all visitors.
Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) is the path Jesus Christ walked after his condemnation while bearing his cross. It is the final path before he was executed at Calvary, and you can walk the path and imagine history come to life.
Armenian Quarter
This part of Jerusalem is small, yet charming, and it is the site of St. James Cathedral and St. Mark’s Chapel. These historic structures were built by the Armenian people, who first arrived at Jerusalem in the 5th century, and their surrounding area creates a quiet gem in the Old City that not many people visit.
Christian Quarter
The Christian Quarter is centered around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and runs north from the Jaffa Gate. Within the quarter, you will find Protestant Christ Church, the Ethiopian Monastery, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, and souks where you will find souvenirs that represent the quarter’s merging of old and new.
Mount Zion
The beautiful area of Mount Zion is where Jesus Christ had his last supper, and where the Virgin Mary spent her last year, making the location a historical landmark. For the Jewish people, Mount Zion is the burial site of Kind David, from which visitors can climb upstairs and visit the room where the Last Supper was held.
Kidron Valley
Both Jews and Muslims believe that Kidron Valley, which lies between the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, is the location of the Last Judgment. Aside from its future significance, Kidron Valley is one of the oldest places in Jerusalem, with excavations revealing a settlement older the 4,000 years.
Monastery of the Cross
Jews believe that the Monastery of the Cross is built on the area where the prophet Lot lived in Biblical times. Christians believe that the prophet planted a tree that was later used for Jesus’ cross, and the stone church, which was once controlled by Georgian monks, was handed to Jerusalem’s Greek Orthodox community.
Citadel (Tower of David)
The tower of David was actually built by King Herod to protect his palace, which was built in approximately 24 BC. The structures have undergone many changes over the centuries, with crusaders, Egypt’s Mamelukes, and Turks rebuilding it up until the 14th century.
The Western Wall
The Western Wall (HaKotel in Hebrew) is one of the holiest places for the Jewish people, as it was built as an expansion of the Second Jewish Temple begun by Herod the Great. The Second Temple was destroyed, and the Jews were exiled from Israel, making the remaining Western Wall valuable and holy to the Jews.
Whether you are staying in the Israel greater area in apartments in Israel, and whether you are staying in apartment rental Jerusalem vacation homes, you must go to the holy city and see its incredible history with your own eyes.
