Jerusalem... The most amazing city in the world.

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world that people have lived in continuously. This is where magic meets history and greatness. It has belonged to almost everyone though out history and everyone seems to want to own this city. It is extremely important and holy for all the major religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The city has been the center of attention for many centuries, and it still is. Once you have visited you will know why. It is spiritual and amazing in anyways. When you walk through the narrow alleys you feel the history and magnificence in the walls of the buildings and the pavement you walk on. The fighting surrounding this city is still going on. Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their national capital. Most other countries acknowledge that West Jerusalem is part of Israel and that East Jerusalem is Palestinian. And while you slowly see the city appearing in front of you, you cannot help feeling spiritual and amazed.

Western Wall, Jerusalem

Jews consider Jerusalem the holiest city in the world because it was their religious and political center during Biblical times and was the place where the Temple of God stood. Christians consider Jerusalem to be the holiest city in the world because many events in the life of Jesus took place there. The crucifixion and last walk of Jesus amongst many others. Muslims love Jerusalem because they believe the Prophet Muhammad rose to heaven from Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is located in a valley, and most of the people living there are stronger believers than in the rest of the country, regardless of their religion. The old part of Jerusalem is located within the city walls and is divided into different areas. We entered through the Damascus gate on the Northwest side, which in ancient times was the road to Syria. It is considered one of the main gates. There are 8 gates leading into the Old Jerusalem and this is probably the one most tourists enter though.

The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

The Christian Quarter: this is the second largest of the four quarters that make up the Old City of Jerusalem. Narrow, winding alleys feed into slightly broader streets in this area that is considered one of the holiest in the Christian religion. Here you can join lots of the pilgrims who walk around in a spiritual trance, humming and singing as they visit the places that are most sacred in the Catholic religion. They are strolling down Via Dolorosa, which is believed to be the very path that Jesus walked to his crucifixion. Pilgrims have been walking the same path as Jesus Christ for centuries. They cry, they scream and they feel the pain of the world as they imagine Christ did so many years ago. The meaning of Via Dolorosa is the Way of Sorrows and if you are heading in the same direction as them you will end up at probably the most famous church in the world, The Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church is also known as the Church of the Resurrection or the Church of Anastasis. This place is known to Catholics as the place where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.

The view of the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

The Muslim Quarter: This is the largest quarter and home to over 20,000 people. Entrance to this area is through Herod’s Gate, Damascus Gate, and Lion’s Gate. Despite its name, many holy Christian sites are also located in this quarter. Amongst many holinesses, the Muslim quarter contains the great mosque, Dome of the Rock.
The dome is built over a sacred stone, on the Temple Mount. Muslims believe, that the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven from here. Jews believe that the rock was the place where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. A story you can also read about in the Old Testament in the Bible. My Muslim friends tell me that the Koran has the same tale but call them Ibrahim and Ishmael. The Dome of the Rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next to it, you’ll find the Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest Sunni Muslim site in the world.
This place is definitely worth a visit regardless of your beliefs (remember to check for Ramadan, during which it will be closed to tourists). This area is more peaceful and contains fewer tourists than the Christian quarter, and less yelling/singing/screaming people.

Market and small shops, Jerusalem

The Armenian Quarter: Since the early days of Christianity, the Armenians have played an important role in Jerusalem, and Armenians were once roaming this sacred capital. This quarter can provide with a trip through history being the home of some of the oldest surviving chapels in the city. Being the smallest quarter in the Old City, the Armenian Quarter is the most well-preserved. When you walk down the narrow alleys and look at the small stores you can’t help whispering to a blanket or two, just to check if Aladdin's' magic carpet should have snuck in between the goods. You can enter this whole new world through Zion Gate.

The Jewish quarter: Zion Gate also leads into the Jewish quarter. The most famous place here is the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. This was once a larger retaining wall surrounding the Second Temple built by Herod the Great. The Western Wall is considered one of the holiest places in the Jewish religion. Insider tip: Jewish custom is to back up as you leave the wall. Even for a non-believer, it is a very spiritual experience. I, myself, felt very moved standing at the female part of the Western Wall and watch how all these visitors believe and hope so strongly that this Wall can help them get closer to what they want and need. People wear their dreams and hopes outside their clothes and let their emotions run freely. Visitors to the Western Wall are expected to wear a kippa. This is freely provided. As a female, you are expected to dress modestly as if you are visiting a synagog.There is a security checkpoint with metal detectors. The Jewish quarter is much smaller than the Muslim quarter and ‘only’ home to around 2,000 people. Millions of tourists visit every year for a unique experience and will probably continue to visit for as long as the city still stand.

Western Wall, Jerusalem

Explore the Old City even more:
I would recommend to take a trip under the city, while the Western Wall is a truly impressive sight, make a visit to the Western Wall Tunnels and part-take on an underground exploration of the city. It is a nice cool-down experience in the hot desert climate. Here you discover another 500 meters of the wall and you will begin to comprehend the size of the temple. Itexcavatedating in the 60’s and now you can see history unrole itself. You will pass constructions from different periods of Jerusalem’s history, ancient cisterns and aqueducts and massive stones.

Visit the Tower of David and Citadel is located in the Old City near to the Jaffa Gate. The Tower, actually, has no historical connection to King David. The Byzantine Christians mistakenly believet that it was the site of King David’s palace. It is however, an amazing place to take beautiful photos of both the inner Old City and the outer vally and city of Jerusalem. After visiting here take a walk around the Old City, you will see lots of graveyards. Jews believe the closer to the Western Wall they are buried, the less time they spend in Purgatory.

For an experience outside the Old City climb the Olive Mountain. This is a beautiful little hill and it is very peaceful. Here you can enjoy the view of Jerusalem, the Old and the new, a breathtaking climb in more ways than one.

Olive Mountain

A different take on Christ
If you are Christian, short research will tell you that Catholics and Protestants disagree on the location of Jesus’ remains. Catholics believe Christ lies under the floor of the Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre - just follow the procession in the Christian quarters. But the protestants have created a little garden outside the gates. The Protestant tomb of Christ, also called the Garden Tomb is a nice green place to visit for some peace and quiet. The garden was designed to encourage worship and reflection, with many spots to sit, pray and meditate dotting the area.
You get a free tour where volunteers explain Protestant beliefs, and why this is the true tomb of Christ. Most importantly they explain that excavations in the 60’s discovered an ancient Jewish tomb, which led many to believe that the spot where the Garden Tomb is located is the one described in vivid detail in the New Testament as the site of crucifixion.