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Jerusalem
About Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital of the Israel, a 3000 year old city and a thriving modern metropolis. Situated high in the Judean Hills and surrounded upon all sides by valleys, Jerusalem is divided in three parts: the walled Old City with the Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim quarters; the predominantly Arab East Jerusalem; and the rapidly expanding new city, known as West Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a holy city to the world's three major monotheistic religions and therefore often seen as belonging to the whole world. But the old city of Jerusalem is not just a holy place. It is also home to the Israeli parliament (Knesset), the President's Residence and the government offices, and a very busy market place with bustling markets.
Local highlights
Explore the city
- Explore Old Jerusalem with its many shops and homes clustered around courtyards surrounded by high walls
- for excellent views go to: Mount Scopus (near Hebrew University), Mount of Olives (near the hotel) or The Citadel ramparts (Jaffa Gate)
- Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus followed as he carried his cross
- Mea Shearim-an ultra orthodox Jewish neighborhood where time has stood still
- Take a walk on the Haas Promenade
- Enjoy Nahalat Shiva is a pedestrian shopping area in West Jerusalem
- The "SHUK" on Jaffa Street-a daily produce market
- For views of the New City go to Gilo, Bayit Vegan or the Israel Museum
Explore its museums and historical sights, such as
- Western Wall is the last remaining wall from the Second Temple destroyed in 70CE by the Romans. Many leave in a personal note in the wall with a wish for the future
- The golden Dome of the Rock-one of the oldest and most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture
- The silver-domed al-Aqsa mosques.
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- The Israel Museum home to the Dead Sea Scrolls
- The Rockefeller Museum
- The Ticho House
- The Tower of David Museum
- Yad Vashem Holocaust museum
- The Museum Of Islamic Art
- The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center
- The Bible Lands Museum
- The modern Knesset building, Israel's parliament
Highlights in the vicinity
- Bethlehem-10 km from Jerusalem-known as the birthplace of Jesus with important religious sites such as the Basilica of the Nativity, Rachel's Tomb, and the Milk Grotto Chapel
- Hebron-closely identified with Abraham and the place where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Leah, and Jacob all were buried
Good to know
- No. of inhabitants: 705 Thousand
- Timezone: UTC +2
- Weather: Jerusalem's summers are hot and dry with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C; winters a cold and often rainy
- Police tel.nr. 100
Local transport
- Taxis
- Buses-during Shabbat there is no services. The only option then is a sherut (shared taxi)
- Car:
- Begin Boulevard-West Jerusalem's inner city expressway, going north to south from Atarot to Malcha
- Talpiyot-Atarot route-from south to north crossing East Jerusalem and West Jerusalem
- Herzl Boulevard-from the north to the south via Mt. Herzl and Yad VaShem memorial to the Southern quarters
- The Golomb-Herzog-Ben-Zvi route links the southern quarters to the city center
- Jaffa Road from the western entrance to Jaffa Gate and East Jerusalem
Inbound transport
- Nearest airport: Ben Gurion International Airport-40km northwest of the city, serves as the primary international air transport
- Train: service from Tel Aviv stopping at in Malcha station
- Buses with intercity services
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