Jerusalem

Jerusalem known as Beit Makdad Jerusalem in Arabic and Hebrew, has been known for centuries as a center of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is a city with amazingly broad human diversity, representing different races, religions and ethnicities. Jerusalem towers over other cities for being a spiritual city. For the faithful, a visit to Jerusalem, is a powerful affirmation of faith.

Jerusalem focuses on the famous old walled city, surrounded by high walls and is next to the Mount of Olives. A walk is the most popular time to visit the Old City of Jerusalem. It starts at the Damascus Gate, one of the city's famous eight gates, and walking through the maze of city streets and crooked alleys. In the Muslim Quarter of the Old City is the Dome of the Rock (Al Qubbat Sakhra), one of the oldest examples of Moorish architecture. The huge dome houses the oldest rock on which Noah's Arc rested after the flood and where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son. Built on the site where Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven on his famous night journey, this sacred place for Muslims from around the world is visually spectacular, with mosaic tiles bright blue, gold dome, exquisite, mathematically accurate proportions. Nearby are the famous Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Museum, which was established in 1927 and houses beautiful stained glass windows and a collection of old copies of the Koran.




Another tourist route in the Old City is the Via Dolorosa, which traces the path of Christ to his crucifixion .. Begins near Lions Gate and end at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian quarter. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is revered as the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, burial, and resurecction. In the course of many centuries, pilgrims have journeyed to the shrine to see the gold connector that held the Cross of Christ, the crypt where he was laid, the stone where his body was anointed, and the tomb where he was buried.




Manure from the entrance gate of the old city, you can walk to the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. This wall is one of the most sacred Jewish sites.




To the east of the Old City is the Mount of Olives, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city of Jerusalem. The Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations, and the tomb of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the mountain. Midway are two famous churches: the church of Santa Maria Magdalena, a beautiful example of ancient Russian style domes and vaults, which was erected in 1885 by Tsar Alexander III, and the Franciscan Church of Dominus Flevit, a simple structure built on the remains of a fifth century monastic chapel. The interior window above its altar has a breathtaking view of the city, as the Dome of the Rock in the distance. Perhaps it is this view that best reflects the splendor and diversity of the Holy City of Jerusalem.




The sources of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim attachment to Jerusalem are deep and complex. The Jews in the city has "one Holy," and the centrality of Jerusalem in Jewish life is reflected in the vote given by Jews on religious occasions: "Next year in Jerusalem."




The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth and his burial in Jerusalem, to the holiest city for Christians. Christian attachment to Jerusalem is reflected in the various names for the city contained in the Bible, such as the City of Justice, Faithful City, City of God, Holy City and the City of Truth.




For Muslims, Jerusalem is second only to Mecca and Medina as a sacred shrine. Through the centuries, the Dome of the Rock, which looms above Jerusalem, has been revered and cared for by all Muslims. One woman said to the Prophet Muhammad, "O apostle of God Give us rule as to Jerusalem." And he said: "It is the land of the Resurrection and Judgement of meeting, go there and pray. Indeed, there is a prayer is like a thousand other places."