The best place to start a tour in Jerusalem will be the Mt of Olives observation which is the most beautiful observation in Israel give us a great view on The Temple Mt, as well as a point to remember the history of Jerusalem. The observation is the best in the morning when the sun is in our back.
Driving down from Mt. of Olives we pass the Garden of Gethsemane , Church of All Nations and the beautiful Russian church Maria Magdalene build by the Russian Tsar Alexander III 1886. Crossing Kidron Valley we’ll be able to see some of the tombs in Valley of Jehoshaphat . Parking in Jerusalem is not an easy task but here it become a necessity as we continue our Jerusalem tour from here on foot.
Before entering the old city walls we’ll have a short visit in City of David and then quick look at The Southern Wall .
We’ll enter the old city through the Dung Gate. If time permit it is highly recommended to visit Jerusalem archaeological park. Short walk will take us to The Wailing Wall and if it will be possible we’ll visit the Temple Mount. Exit the temple Mt. through “The Cotton market” which today specialized in candies and small souvenirs given to the children coming to pray. Short walk will bring us to Via Dolorosa the way of suffering and a short walk into The Church of the Holy Sepulcher were Jesus was crucified buried and resurrect.
We’ll climb to Jaffa Gate and walk on the Old City Ramparts to the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Cardo and finally going down to The Dung Gate and back to our car (3-6 hours walk).
Jerusalem tour – Optional:
Tower of David – museum of the history of Jerusalem.
Mt Zion – The Upper Room Hagia Maria Sion Abbey
West Jerusalem tour: Yad Vashem – the holocaust museum
Down town – Ben Yehuda pedestrian Street
Ein Kerem – John the Baptist neighborhood
Chagall windows In the Synagogue of the Hadassah university hospital depicting Jacob’s blessings to his sons, the Twelve Tribes of Israel
Burma Road (jeeping) the by pass road of Latrun that save Jerusalem tour at the War of Independence
All pictures by Moti Barness