Jan 1 2011
Places To Visit In The Holy City of Jerusalem
Taking a trip to Israel is probably a dream come true. You have waited a long time for this trip, saving money and making plans to finally go to the Holy Land. While on your Holy Land trip, you will want to take time to visit the historic city of Jerusalem. Revered by Christians, Jews and Muslims, this religious city has landmarks you won’t want to miss. Because there are so many interesting sites, it’s a good idea to have things planned out in advance. Of course, Israel travel vacation packages will make it easy for you because the planning is already done for you.
There are an amazing amoung of interesting places to visit in Jerusalem. The sights, sounds and smell of the city are unlike any you have experienced beforehand. Old Jerusalem is one of the most fascinating sights to behold because you are taken back to a time and place in ancient Jewish history. Once you enter, you will feel the modern world behind you, as you step into a time and place from history. You will experience amazing views overlooking Jerusalem and the Garden of Gethsemane from the Mount of Olives.
The Wailing Wall, Israel’s holiest site accessible to the Jewish people, can be seen as you pass through the gates of the Old City. There is prayer here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When visiting here, modest dress is required. Within the cracks of the wall, people place prayer notes or requests everyday.
The Jewish Quarter and the Zion Sisters Convent are also very interesting places to visit. Stop and visit Mount Zion and then visit the traditional Tomb of King David. The Christian Quarter is nearby and is owned and run by a variety of denominations.
There are an amazing amount of churches in Jerusalem. The Russian Orthodox Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene is a spectacular sight to behold. The Sanctuary of Dominus Flevit is built over the place where Jesus wept over the destruction of Jerusalem. There is a beautiful bell town at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer .
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also in Jerusalem and is believed to be the place where Jesus was crucified. This is located on the Via Dolorosa route, where the twelfth post on the route marks the place of Christ’s crucifixion. Constructed over a thousand years ago, there are many styles from various periods of time displayed. Even those with no religious interests will enjoy visiting the church because of its beautiful artwork and architecture.
Another very popular tourist spot in Israel is the Jerusalem Museum. Pieces from world renowned artists are in this museum, including van Gogh, Monet, Duchamp, Rodin and many others. There is an extensive archaeological collection and also many pieces of Jewish art. No visit to Jerusalem is complete without a stop at this popular and interesting museum
The Dome of the Rock is another very interesting place to visit in Jerusalem. A Moslem holy site, it is also regarded as the Holy of Holies by traditional Jews. For this reason, they refuse to visit this sacred location. The Dome is often shown on tourist photos of Jerusalem because of its uniqueness and significance.
Yad Vashem is a major memorial site to the victims of the Holocaust. It has been updated and renovated many times. There are multimedia presentations and many fascinating exhibits. There is so much information here that one could spend days learning about this horrible time in Jewish history. However, by spending a few hours here, one can get a small glimpse of why the Jewish people are so endeared to Israel.
The sounds and sights of Jerusalem seem to be never-ending. While there are many main attractions to see, be sure and take the time to put on a pair of good walking shoes and experience the feel of the people and the city. As you mingle with the crowds, view the people with their native clothing and eat their authentic food, you will feel as though you are back in Bible days, walking with those people and experiencing life as it was back then.
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