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Jerusalem Maps & Attractions Guide
Jerusalem maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Jerusalem
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Jerusalem
Attractions - Things to do
1. Masada
www.parks.org.il |
What is it? Situated in the Judean Desert and overlooking
the Dead Sea is one of Israel's most popular tourist attractions,
the mountaintop fortress of Masada (sometimes spelled Massada).
This enduring symbol of Jewish history is the site of the heroic
defiance by 967 Jewish Zealots who rose against the Roman Empire in
66 AD and took their own lives when defeat seemed inevitable. A
cable car ride or hike up the Snake Path takes one to the top where
breathtaking views can be enjoyed over the Dead Sea and the
surrounding desert. The Masada Sound and Light Show recounts this
dramatic history with special pyrotechnic effects, and takes place
in a natural amphitheatre on the west side of the mountain
reachable only from Arad.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8am to 5pm (until 4pm from October to March),
first cable car at 8am
Phone:(07) 658 4207/8 |
2. Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Via Dolorosa, Old City
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What is it? The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the
holiest Christian site in Jerusalem, the site of Jesus'
crucifixion, burial and resurrection. First constructed in 335 by
Emperor Constantine, persistent damage has been inflicted on the
structure over the centuries and subsequent repair work has been
undertaken by the religious communities that administer it. The
Church contains the Chapel of Golgotha and three Stations of the
Cross where Jesus was crucified, and the Sepulchre itself marks the
place of his burial and resurrection.
Hours of Operation: Daily 5am to 9pm (April to September) and 4am to 7pm
(October to March)
Phone:(02) 627 3314 |
3. Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif)
Temple Mount, Old City
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What is it? Temple Mount, known by some as Mount Moriah,
is a site of tremendous religious importance to Muslims, Jews and
Christians alike. It is one of Jerusalem's most famous landmarks
and can be found within the walled section of the Old City. The
glinting golden dome of the Dome of the Rock
rises impressively from Jerusalem's skyline and has become the
city's most distinguishable feature. Temple Mount is of Jewish and
Christian historical importance on two accounts: the large rock is
believed to be the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac up for
sacrifice, and the First Temple is the place where the Ark of the
Covenant was housed. Even though off limits to Jews today, it is
still the focal point of Jewish life and Jews worldwide face the
Temple Mount during prayer. For Muslims the same rock is the place
from which Muhammad, in a dream, ascended to heaven. In
commemoration the Dome of the Rock was built
over the site in the 7th century. It is known to Muslims as the
Noble Sanctuary or Al-Haram al-Sharif, and is one of the three most
important sites in Islam. Also located on the Temple Mount are the
Al Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic Museum, which houses a collection of
Korans and Islamic relics.
Hours of Operation: The site is temporarily closed to non-Muslims due to
religious tensions. Otherwise Saturday to Thursday 7.30 to 11am and
1.30pm to 3pm (summer; 8am to 10.30am and 12.20pm to 2pm (winter) ;
closed Fridays and prayer times
Phone:(02) 628 3393 |
4. Western Wall (HaKotel HaMaaravi)
Temple Mount, Old City
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What is it? The Western Wall, known to non-Jews as the
Wailing Wall, is the most sacred Jewish site of prayer in the
world, the place where thousands of worshippers gather year round
to pray and even leave prayers folded into its crevices. The
1,916ft (584m) wall is all that remains of the Second Temple of
Jerusalem, built in 30BC by King Herod. It is made up of enormous
stone blocks and serves as a tribute to the scale of workmanship in
past eras. Following Orthodox Jewish practise the praying sections
have been separated for men and women. Men are required to wear a
skullcap (kippah) and women must be modestly dressed. On Fridays,
the Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath, the men's section particularly
pulsates with the songs and prayers of the faithful, for in
principle the whole area is an Orthodox synagogue. The wall is also
sacred to Muslims who believe that it is where the prophet Mohammed
tied up his winged horse, Al Burak, before ascending into
heaven.
Hours of Operation: Daily 24 hours
Phone: |
5. Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa, Old City
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What is it? The Via Dolorosa (Road of Sorrow), also known
as the Way of the Cross, is the route Jesus is said to have
followed as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion. There are 14
stations along the way commemorating different events, starting at
Lion's Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, where Jesus was
convicted by Pontius Pilate, and ending at his tomb, inside the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre within the Christian Quarter. Every
Friday at 3pm priests lead a procession and prayers are said at
each station. A steady stream of pilgrims remember and honour
Jesus' sacrifice by walking the Way of the Cross each
year.
Hours of Operation: Daily 24 hours
Phone: |
6. Yad VaShem
Har Hazikaron
www.yad-vashem.org |
What is it? This vital 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 Museum's archive collection is the world's
largest and most comprehensive collection of material containing
documents, photographs, films and videotaped testimonies of
survivors. These can be read and viewed in the allocated rooms and
is a sobering experience. An inspiring tribute to the victims is
The Hall of Names, which details names of the holocaust victims.
Symbolic gravestones are created from the 'Pages of Testimony' that
record the biographical details of millions of deceased. Yad
Vashem's library contains an impressive collection of material in
many languages. The Historical Museum chronicles the history of the
holocaust from the implementation of the Nazi's anti-Jewish
policies to the mass murder of millions of people. The display
includes photographs, artefacts, documents and audio-visual
material. An important collection of Holocaust art is displayed in
Yad Vashem's Art Museum. The International School for Holocaust
Studies and Holocaust Research provide education and ongoing
research on the Holocaust at both national and international
levels. Other facets of the Yad Vashem experience include the
Righteous Among the Nations, honouring the non-Jews who risked
their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews; and the
Encyclopaedia of Communities which records the
historical-geographical communities of Jews destroyed or damaged
during the Nazi regime.
Hours of Operation: Sunday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursdays 9am to 8pm,
Fridays and eve of holidays 9am to 2pm. Entrance is allowed until
an hour before closing
Phone:(02) 644 3749 or (02) 644 3686 |
7. The Israel Museum
Ruppin Boulevard, near Parliament
www.imj.org.il |
What is it? The Israel Museum has achieved world-class
status with its remarkable collections spanning prehistoric
archaeology to contemporary art. These include displays of
archaeology from the Holy Land, a comprehensive compilation of
Judaica and ethnology of Jewish people, and a fine art collection
encompassing the Old Masters to renowned contemporary works.
Perhaps the most famous exhibit are the Dead Sea Scrolls, they date
from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD, and were unearthed
in 1947. Numerous temporary exhibitions, publications and
educational activities form part of the museum's cultural programme
and over 950,000 visitors are drawn to this vast complex each year.
Another great attraction of the Museum is its Art Garden that was
designed by the Japanese-American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi. It is a
fusion of Zen landscaping incorporating the natural vegetation of
the area such as rosemary bushes, olive and fig trees. Displayed
within this picturesque setting are the famous sculptures of Rodin,
Bourdelle, Maillol, David Smith, Henry Moore, Richard Serra, Sol
LeWitt and James Turrell.
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and holidays 10am to 4pm;
Tuesday 4pm to 9pm; Thursday 10am to 9pm; Friday, and Passover 10am
to 2pm; Closed Sundays
Phone:(02) 670 8811 |
8. Citadel or Tower of David
Jaffa Gate
www.towerofdavid.org.il/eng |
What is it? The Citadel was constructed in the 1st
century BC as a fortress for King Herod and has since served as a
strategic defence position to the Old City. The tallest tower of
the Citadel, the Phasael, is the place to appreciate the
magnificent view as well as the orientation of the Old City. The
Citadel contains the excellent Museum of the History of Jerusalem,
featuring fascinating displays of 4,000 years of the city's
past.
Hours of Operation: April to October open Sunday to Thursday and Saturday
9am to 5pm, Friday and holidays 9am to 2pm. November to March:
Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 4pm, Friday and holidays
10am to 2pm. Guided tours in English Sunday to Friday at
11am
Phone:(02) 626 5333, or (02) 626 5310 (24-hr information
line) |
9. Bethlehem
www.bethlehem-city.org |
What is it? Bethlehem is just six miles (10km) south of
Jerusalem and a major tourist attraction for pilgrims and visitors
alike. The birthplace of Jesus, this is a charming town despite its
tourist-centred commercialism. The Church of the Nativity is the
focal point for a visit to the town, erected over the site of
Jesus' birthplace. Bethlehem is also a wonderful place to
experience the variety of Christian monastics that represent every
permutation of Christianity. Christmas is celebrated on three
separate dates in accordance with the Catholic and Western Churches
calendars, the Eastern calendar followed by the Armenians and the
Julian calendar followed by the Greek Orthodox and Eastern
churches. For further exploration of the town's cultural diversity,
visit the Bethlehem Museum, established by the Arab Women's Union
to celebrate the Palestinian cultural heritage. The exhibits
include displays from traditional households to clothing, jewellery
and old photographs. (Open Monday to Wednesday and Friday and
Saturday between 8am and 5pm, Thursdays between 8am and
12pm).
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
10. The Dead Sea
www.ngedi.com |
What is it? The Dead Sea and its immediate environment is
a landscape abundant with natural wonders. Most notable of these is
the high salt and mineral concentration found in the waters that
enable visitors to float effortlessly on its salty surface. The
therapeutic properties of the black mud found in the region are
formed by a mixture of sea minerals and organic elements. For a
completely rejuvenating experience several Dead Sea spa resorts
offer a range of health and beauty treatments, and the opportunity
to float in the saltiest body of water in the world, and the lowest
place on earth. The Ein Gedi Spa is on the western shore. Equally
fascinating are the archaeological sites of the Dead Sea region
with traces remaining of Persian, Greek, Roman and other
civilisations. Notable historical locations include the notorious
biblical city of Sodom that was destroyed along with Gomorra. Salt
pillars emerge from this eight-mile (12km) geological ridge in the
southern part of the Dead Sea.
Hours of Operation: Ein Gedi Spa open daily 7am to 6pm (Fridays until
5pm)
Phone:(08) 659 4760 (Ein Gedi Spa) |
Jerusalem Holidays guide
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Transport -Jerusalem has an extensive public bus
service running from 5.
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