Jerusalem

A trip to Israel would not be complete without visiting JERUSALEM.
It's a must especially for first timers.

Jerusalem the Golden is the Capital
of Israel and is like no other city on earth. Sacred to the worlds three major monotheistic religions,
and was fought over for three millennia by a variety of peoples and nations.

Old City of Jerusalem
The landmarks within the ancient walls of Old Jerusalem are very much alive today. 
You can hardly move without strolling into another picturesque building or fascinating site or excavation.

Visit the Western Wall, all that remains of the Temple of Solomon which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC.   Experience the Jewish rituals of praying here every day, leaving their messages scribbled on pieces of paper and hiding them within the stones of the Wall.  You may even get the chance to see one of the many Bar Mitzvah Celebrations celebrated at the Western Wall.
The Holy Sepulchre is the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem, the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection.  The Church contains the Chapel of Golgotha and the Three Stations of the Cross where Jesus was crucified and the Sepulchre itself marks the place of his burial and resurrection.

Walk along the Via Dolorosa, which is also known as the Way of the Cross, a network of streets through which Jesus dragged the Cross before his crucifixion. There are 14 Stations along the way commemorating different events.  You will hear Muslim calls for prayer intermingled with Christian chanting and the shouts of market traders selling their merchandise.

The beautiful golden Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount dominates any view of Jerusalem and is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.  The Rock is believed by all three of the world's main religions to be the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son to God.  For Muslims the same Rock is the place from which Mohammed, in a dream, ascended to Heaven.

The Citadel or Tower of David was constructed in the 1st century BC as a fortress for King Herod.   The tallest tower of the Citadel is the place to appreciate a magnificent view as well as an orientation of the Old City.  The Citadel contains the Museum of the History of Jerusalem, featuring interesting displays of the city's past and serves as a constant reminder of how many times Jerusalem has been conquered and re-conquered over the centuries.

New City of Jerusalem
The New City of Jerusalem also has many important sites.  The Yad Vashem Memorial to the Holocaust provides a multifaceted tribute to the millions of Jews who died during World War II.  The focus of the Museum is to commemorate and document the events of the Holocaust and provide ongoing research and education.

The Israel Museum has achieved world-class status with its remarkable collections that span prehistoric archaeology to contemporary art.  Perhaps the most famous exhibit are the Dead Sea Scrolls that date from the 3rd Century BC to the 1st Century AD and were discovered in 1947.   Other places of interest are the new Supreme Court Building and Mt. Herzl to visit the grave of the assassinated Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

 Places of Interest for Children in Jerusalem
If you are traveling with children there is plenty to see.   A visit to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo which is situated n southwest Jerusalem.  The zoo collection includes species mentioned in the Bible and many other rare animals.   The landscape of the Zoo is very unusual as it is surrounded by the Jerusalem Hills.   The Bloomfield Science Museum specializes in interactive exhibitions in science and technology.
Just outside of Jerusalem is the Mini Israel Park which is located at Latrun.  The Park displays hundreds of models that are exact copies of sites, building and landscapes from around Israel.

 Shopping in Jerusalem
Excellent shopping can be found in Jerusalem, whether in the markets situated in the Old City of Jerusalem or at shops situated close to the hotel area where you will find Judaica, arts, crafts and souvenirs.  You can also visit the Mahneh Yehuda Market a bustling outdoor food and goods market.

 Nightlife in Jerusalem
There is plenty of nightlife in Jerusalem.   One of the best places to go for a light meal or dinner is the Nachalat Shiva area with its sidewalk restaurants and small boutiques and shops.  Just walk through the streets and admire the beautiful old stone houses. One of the many restaurants or cafes will surely be to your taste.
Ben Yehuda Street is a very lively area at night and there are many bars and restaurants in and around it.

 Culture in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra offers a great standard of performance for classical music lovers.  The Israeli Festival of music and performing arts is an annual event in Jerusalem featuring both Israeli and International Performers and 2006 saw the first Jerusalem Jazz Festival.

Over the years, the City of Jerusalem has undergone many changes which have made it one of the most interesting cities in the world as well as an important focal point for tourism in Israel.