Jerusalem- Cradle of religions

November 22, 2022

Israel

JERUSALEM

What to visit in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is the religious and historical epicenter of the world. Surreal and dynamic city, Jerusalem is holy for Jews, Muslims and Christians – more than a third of all people on earth. You have to see the subtleties and beautiful contradictions – ancient and developed, religious and secular – that make up Jerusalem. A must.

Western Wall
The Esplanade of the Mosques and the Dome of the Rock
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
David's Tower and Citadel
Muslim Area
The gates of the old city of Jerusalem
Follow the Via Dolorosa, in the footsteps of Christ
Walk around the ramparts of the old town
Mary's Sepulcher
Mount of Olives
The churches of the Mount of Olives and the Gardens of Gethsemani
Path of the Tombs of the Kings
Dormition Abbey
Mishkenot Sha'ananim Area
Mea She'arim: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Area
Stroll down Ben Yehuda, the main shopping street
Yad Vashem Memorial

TRANSPORTS

Haifa-Jerusalem

2h15 by bus for 25 ILS (8 dollars)

Bus 940 departing from Haifa Bus Central. There are departures every hour. The buses are new, comfortable, air-conditioned. Arrive on time at Jerusalem Central.

IMG_20221118_130331_edit_951733600488107 (FILEminimizer)

Visit Jerusalem The Old City

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: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

: Jerusalem The Old City

Western Wall

Friday evening, the Sabbath begins. I rush into the walls of the old town to see one of its emblems: the Western Wall. It is the holiest place for Jews. To see them praying so fervently against the Wall on Shabbat night is something unique in the world.

To get there, just follow the signs « Western Wall » located at all intersections. Access is free with passage through an airport-type security gate. From the top of the esplanade, I witness a spectacle that is worth its weight in gold. It's effervescence, it's teeming with people. Men and women pray in two separate places. On the left, the men sing and shout. Everyone is free to approach it. To note that the wearing of the kippah is mandatory. You can borrow one on site. On the right, the women are praying and crying. 2 very different atmospheres. I slip into the mass, I touch the wall, meditate like everyone else. Some slip small pieces of paper into the cracks of the wall materializing their request to the Great Divine. I note that moving away from the wall is done in reverse. Don't turn your back on the Wall. I respect and do the same. It is a strong and unique moment to live. Out of time !

The Esplanade of the Mosques and the Dome of the Rock

Free admission. It is the covered bridge that starts from the Western Wall.To find it, follow the “Temple Mount” signs.

Advice: arrive early. The queue can be incredibly long. Cover knees and shoulders to enter.

The esplanade of the mosques, where the Dome of the Rock is located, is the 2nd must-see in Jerusalem. It is the 3rd holiest place in Islam after Mecca and Medina.It is difficult to access it when you are not Muslim because the opening hours of the esplanade are particularly restricted from Sunday to Thursday (7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. only).

The place is incredibly beautiful and exudes a real serenity. Absolutely superb !

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Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Free admission. Open daily from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winter, and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer.

After having visited the sacred places of Judaism and Islam, here is now that of the Christians. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher,, where the tomb of Christ is theoretically located.Good luck to see it, the queue to enter is simply endless. Patience is way below what you'll need to see it. And since it's not my strong suit, well, I ignore it. But the rest of the building is really worth it, admirable.

The church is sumptuous.The energy there is special. I sit in a corner, I meditate. Unspeakable !

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: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

: Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Tower and Citadel of David

Info and booking here

The Museum presents the history of Jerusalem through the most significant events in its history.
The remains of the Citadel testify to the turbulent past of Jerusalem through all periods of history.
The top of the towers of the Citadel offers a 360 degree view, with the new town on one side and the old town on the other.

Opportunity to attend sound and light shows. Program available at the tourist office located near Jaffa Gate.

Not to be confused with the Ancient City of David, which is outside the old city, on the West Bank side.

Stroll through the Muslim Area

The Muslim Area is the largest and most authentic in Jerusalem. We walk around and we get lost in its cobbled and winding streets. Shops of all kinds, spicy smells immerse you in an oriental setting in a few minutes.

The gates of the old city of Jerusalem

There are 7 gates in Jerusalem, 3 of them have a real interest:

Jaffa Gate, the main city gate on the west side.It is the main entrance to the Christian area. Going through this door, we fall into the maze of narrow streets of the Christian quarter and its countless souvenir and trinket shops..
Damascus Gate, which was the starting point of the road to Damascus, Syria. It is the most beautiful of the Jerusalem's gates.It leads to the heart of the Muslim quarter.
The Lion's Gate is the most interesting by its geographical position, which leads to various points of interest in East Jerusalem (Mount of Olives, Gardens of Gethsemani, etc.). Visually, it is nothing special.

The other gates, like Zion, Herod, or Dung have very little interest. They are simply openings in the wall to access different areas of the old city.

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Follow the Via Dolorosa, in the footsteps of Christ

The Via Dolorosa is one of the important streets in the old city of jerusalem.This is the path that Jesus would have followed, carrying his cross to the place of crucifixion. Throughout the Via Dolorosa, there are places that have marked his journey, such as the imprint of his hand in the wall, at station 5, at the intersection with Al-Wad Street.

You will be able to meet pilgrims there who retrace the journey of Jesus, carrying a huge cross on their back.

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Old City Walls Tour

Entrance fee: 25 ILS. Open Sunday to Thursday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in winter – until 4 p.m.)

The first part of the route starts near the entrance of Jaffa Gate and ends near New Gate & Herod's Gate.
The second begins near Jaffa Gate and ends near Zion Gate or the Mughrabi Gate.

Duration about 4 hours for the 2 routes

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To visit in the new city of Jerusalem on the West Bank side

Mary's Sepulcher

The Church of the Sepulcher of the Blessed Virgin is a place of worship for the Orthodox in Jerusalem, at the bottom of the Mount of Olives. It would house, according to tradition, the tomb of the mother of Jesus, of her husband Saint Joseph and her parents Anne and Joachim. An interesting stopover on the way to the Mount of Olives.

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Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is a must see in Jerusalem. It offers a panoramic view of the old town,as well as a nice walk in a pleasant setting. The climb is a little steep but largely doable for everyone. Throughout the ascent of the Mount of Olives, you will find points of interest: churches, convents, gardens...

The view is striking: at the foreground, a huge Jewish cemetery and its white tombs as far as the eye can see, then at the background, the old city of Jerusalem with its colored roofs and religious buildings. The Dome of the Rock shines brightly in the sunlight, and all around you have the new town. It's worth the climb for this view alone.

Possibility to get on by taxi or with buses 275 and 255 (bus stop located in front of Herod's Gate).

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The churches of the Mount of Olives and the Gardens of Gethsemani

Only one path leads up the Mount of Olives. On your way back down, you will pass:

TheDominus Flevit Church. Above all, it is a very pleasant garden in which to stroll and rest while enjoying the unobstructed view of old Jerusalem.
A little lower, Church of Mary Magdalene,with its superb golden domes, in a very orthodox style, which one would easily imagine in Moscow. Unfortunately, I was unable to visit it. It is open only on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 pm.
Finally, at the very bottom of the Mount of Olives, is the Church of All Nations (a large part of the Catholic nations of the world financed its construction). Right next to the church are the Gardens of Gethsemani. Jesus would have been betrayed by Judas under the millennial olive trees of this charming little garden,but also where he would have been arrested.

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: Eglise de Toutes-les-Nations

: Eglise de Toutes-les-Nations

: Eglise de Toutes-les-Nations

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Eglise de Dominus Flevit

: Church of Mary Magdalene

: Church of Mary Magdalene

Path of the Tombs of the Kings

The Tomb of the Kings is a group of monumental rock-cut Jewish tombs dating from the Second Temple period. The site is located on Saladin Street in Jerusalem, between the Mount of Olives and the walls of the Old City. You will find, in particular, those of Absalom and Zechariah.

To visit in the new city of Jerusalem on the Israelian side

Dormition Abbey

Free admission Plus d’infos en cliquant ici

On Mount Zion, at the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, is theDormition Abbey, place where the Virgin Mary fell into an eternal sleep. Hence the term used "Dormition" which implies that she will wake up. The current abbey was built by the Benedictine order in 1898.

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Mishkenot Sha'ananim Area

Mishkenot Sha'ananim is the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the Old City of Jerusalem. This small residential area, stuck to the ramparts, is made up of pretty narrow streets surrounded by perfectly maintained parks and flower gardens. A short stroll in peace to perk up in the liveliest Jerusalem.

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Mea She'arim: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Area

It is a timeless and surprising district. Change of scenery guaranteed ! It houses the ultra-orthodox jewish community.Its inhabitants are called the Haredim, the “god-fearing” (they represent approximately 12% of the population in Israel).

All men wear black suits and white shirts. The prayer shawl, the tallit, is worn directly on the body and the fringes, the tsitsits, protrude from the shirt. Other men wear a frock coat and stockings, and cover themselves with a fur hat, no matter the weather. The men wear the curls, considered by them as beards that should not be cut.

Women must cover their entire body. They shave their heads at their wedding. The hair protruding from the berets is only wigs here.

A uniform world where men pray and women work, where families are as poor as they are large, where technology only enters on the advice of the rabbi, where it is indicated in the streets that you are not at home, but their home.

Tip: if you come to visit, appropriate outfit is therefore essential. It is imperative to cover your shoulders, arms and legs up to the knees.

Stroll down Ben Yehuda, the main shopping street

Ben Yehuda is the main street in downtown Jerusalem. Cafes, restaurants, shops enliven this artery. It's the perfect place to end your day for a drink or a bite to eat. Musicians come to bring their little atmosphere at the beginning of the evening. Nice !

Stroll through the Yehuda Mahane market on the way between the station and the old town,it's an easy and pleasant stopover !

Yad Vashem Memorial

Yad Vashem is an Israelian memorial located in Jerusalem. It was built in memory of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, perpetrated by the Nazis during the Second World War. The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, decided to build it in 1953 by passing the memorial law.

Housing

- Abraham Hostel Jerusalem -

Pour réserver, cliquez ici

Establishment recommended by my friend Dan. He used to live during 10 years in Jerusalem, he knows what he is talking about. I follow his advice, check that there have places available on Booking and go directly there.

The reception is really nice. I have an 8 bed dorm upstairs for $30 a night on weekends and $25 on weekdays. Yes it's very expensive but it's the best deal in town. So imagine the rest 🙄. We are only 5. It does not overload the rooms, it's great ! I arrive for Shabat and that's good, the hostel organizes a dinner on the occasion. Of course I subscribe. A great experience!!! I highly recommend it. and obviously a large number of customers signed up. Great atmosphere !

Strengths of the establishment

Pele Mele

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Assessment

It's been a long time since I've been to a city as rich in things to do and see as Jerusalem. She is indescribably beautiful. The photos are far below the reality. I spent 3 days there visiting it in all directions. Writing this article makes me want to go back. And quite frankly, I will come back to it.

Next destination: Betlehem– Israel