Good Morning Israel Explorers!

A day of touring Jerusalem's Old City with yet another wonderful family from the USA, here for a wedding.
Starting at Jaffa Gate, the historic main entrance to the City of Jerusalem, we went up to the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, which can be found within the recently restored ancient citadel - once the fortress defending the city. Today, it stands as one of Israel’s most prominent cultural institutions and Jerusalem’s official museum, intertwining the historical narrative of Jerusalem with its significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The museum tells the long and fascinating history of Jerusalem starting from the second millennium BCE and ending with the modern city you see today, but the purpose of our visit today was to take in the breathtaking views of the Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Hurva Synagogue and the Mount of Olives. (When you walk into the tower, see if you can spot the Dale Chihuly glass installation!)
Our next stop was the Armenian Quarter, which is the smallest of the four quarters of the Old City. It has a rich Armenian presence dating back centuries and is inhabited primarily by the Armenian Apostolic community. We visited the magnificent Cathedral of St. James, also known as the Armenian Cathedral of Jerusalem, which is dedicated to the disciple James, the brother of Jesus.
A 9-minute walk took us to the City of David “where it all began”, with the view of site of the original city, first inhabited 4000 years ago, from the observation platform, and then to the excavation of a large stone structure believed by some archaeologists to be the Palace of King David, who captured the city around 1000 BCE from the Jebusites.
Not far from that excavation, a number of bullae (seal impressions) were unearthed, bearing the names of Yehucalm son of Shelemiah, and Gedaliah son of Pashhur, two officials mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah.
Re-entering the Old City via the Dung Gate (in Arabic, the Silwan Gate or The Mughrabi Gate), we were able to view the south-western portion of King Herod's Temple Mount platform - also known as the Herodian platform. It was constructed by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE, and it served as the foundation for the Second Temple. This portion provided a grand entrance to the Temple complex from the southwest, offering visitors a glimpse of the architectural splendour and religious importance of the Temple during that time. We can also see stone blocks of the Temple thrown down by the Roman soldiers when they destroyed the Temple in 70 CE.
Climbing up the wooden structure next to the Western Wall, granted us access to the sacred and awe-inspiring Temple Mount, where two remarkable structures awaited our discovery. The first is the magnificent Al Aqsa Mosque, an architectural marvel that showcases intricate details and a rich Islamic heritage, with its graceful dome and elegant minaret.
Adjacent to the mosque, we saw the resplendent golden Dome of the Rock, with its ornate mosaics and glistening dome. Admission to the site is free. However, it's important to note that due to its significance and delicate nature, the Temple Mount is only open to visitors during specific and limited hours.
Our route to the Jewish quarter began with a descent to the Kotel - Western Wall. After immersing ourselves in the spiritual ambiance, we stopped for a quick shawarma in front of the Hurva Synagogue and the resplendent Golden Menorah.
We continued our adventure by embarking on a mesmerizing Western Wall tunnel tour. Traversing the depths of time we encountered the awe-inspiring Great Stone of the Wall, an imposing relic that stands as a testament to the sacredness of the site.
Strolling past the spot believed to be the closest to 'the Holy of Holies' in the Temple, is an ethereal experience that evokes a profound sense of reverence as we walked along the full length of the Western Wall to its northern corner.
We emerged onto the Via Dolorosa, where we traced the footsteps of Jesus along the Stations of the Cross. Christians & non-Christians alike are moved by the profound significance they hold.
The journey culminates at the illustrious Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the crucifixion and resurrection unfolded, leaving an indelible mark on history.
With memories woven into our souls, we returned to the enchanting Jaffa Gate, for a well-deserved rest and a coffee, and a chance to reflect on the extraordinary moments experienced and shared, cherishing the blend of spirituality, history, and cultural richness encountered throughout this tour.
I can offer Jerusalem tours to suit young and older - from tiny tots, through Bar/BatMitzvah to those who need a more gentle pace, without too much hiking or climbing!
For example:
• Biblical history - Jewish Christian and Muslim •"Where it All began" - City of David
•Jesus of Nazareth – His final week, in Jerusalem, tracing His footsteps
• Jerusalem Old City - Return to Zion; / 1948 War of Independence
• Jerusalem Old City - Christian Quarter
• Jerusalem Old City - Roman revolt
Contact me: imagineisrael8@gmail.com, or by
phone/WhatsApp +972 54 2390412 if I can help to plan your tour.









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