Jerusalem, Israel holiday travel information guideThe Wailing Wall and the restored arch of the Hurva Synagogue are just two of the many biblical and historic icons you'll see scattered through the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem when you enjoy your Israel holiday travel. |
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Hurva Synagogue Arch in Jerusalem
Your Jerusalem holiday travel may lead you to the Hurva Synagogue, first built in 1700 by Polish Jews under guidance of the famous Rabbi Yehuda Hahassid. It was the Great Synagogue of the Jewish Quarter and its dome was visible throughout Jerusalem. The Hurva Synagogue was burnt and destroyed several times, most recently in the 1948 war when Jordanian soldiers captured Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. The reconstructed arch pictured above marks the line of the former building's domed roof and stands as a memorial to the synagogue that once was. Wailing Wall in Jerusalem The Western Wall of Jerusualem pictured above is the holiest site in Judaism, although people of all denominations travel here to leave a note for their respective deities. The lower sections of the wall date to 200BC and are the last remains of the ramparts that surrounded the Holy Temple of the Jews built by King Solomon. The temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, rebuilt by the Babylonian exiles and by Herod, and burned down by Titus. Jews have gathered since the day after its destruction to weep and pray on the ruins, hence the term Wailing Wall coined by Christians in the Middle Ages. Islam built the Dome of the Rock above the temple ruins in Jerusalem and only one side of the holy structure remained ... the Western Wall above which the Jewish people believe the Divine Presence can be found. Visitors will find the wall divided into sections for men and women, many worshippers putting notes and prayers into the wall cracks in the belief that this is the closest man can come to God. Tourists shouldn't take photographs on the Sabbath. The Western Wall is about 49 metres (160 feet) long and 12 metres (40 feet) high. Archaeologists have found that 19 rows of stones extend about six metres (20 feet) underground. Jerusalem holiday travel information tips The wall now forms part of a larger wall surrounding the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque. As a result, Jews and Muslims remain divided over the history of the wall and rights of access. The Dome of the Rock symbolises Islam's claim to the City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall symbolises the Jewish claim to the City of Jerusalem. The Old City of Jerusalem in Israel has more than 3,000 years of history, starting when King David made the city his capital and his son Solomon built the first temple. Jesus later came to Jerusalem for the Passover pilgrimage. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is among the most sacred places in the world for Christians who believe it is where Jesus was detained, crucified and buried. The church is effectively more than a dozen different churches within one building and the basilica is adorned with byzantine, medieval, crusader and modern architectural styles. Close to the entrance is the Stone of Unction where Jesus' body was washed for burial, and is where many Christians ask for blessings. On the right is a staircase leading to Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and his resting place is believed to be on the ground floor in the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. There are often long lines of tourists trying to enter the church and it's wise to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds. The Via Dolorosa is the path Jesus took between his sentencing by Pontius Pilate and his crucifixion and burial. Markers are in place to guide your way along this journey of about 500 metres, beginning in the old city's Muslim quarter and finishing at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The highest point in Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives in the city's east. Many tourists are drawn to the mount to see the small and largely unremarkable Chapel of the Ascension, which contains a stone believed to show the imprint of Jesus' last step before ascending to heaven. Take your camera because this is the best spot to get panoramic photographs overlooking Jerusalem. If you've booked a flight to this capital of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths in Israel, set aside several days at least during your holiday travel to explore its various nooks and crannies. To experience the magic of Jerusalem, hop on the No.99 bus at Jaffa Gate and pay 45 shekels for adults or 36 shekels for children (2011) for a comprehensive two hour tour of the city. To book cheap airline tickets, discount hotels, car rentals, etc. for Israeli cities, visit our Travel Shop. |
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