A (very) brief Guide to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Yerushalayim in Hebrew and Al Quds in Arabic, is the capital and largest city of Israel. The city is considered a holy city by adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; it contains sites sacred to all three religions. The city has been a focal point for conflict between Arabs and Israelis since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
The city is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. It straddles the Judean Hills, which run north-south in Israel. The city is built on a cluster of hilltops and valleys.
The Old City of Jerusalem contains many religious and historical sites. A wall was constructed around the Old City in AD 1538 during the reign of the Ottoman ruler Suleiman I. The area inside the wall is divided into 4 areas, named for their dominant ethnic communities: the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Armenian quarters.
Outside of the walled Old City lies modern Jerusalem. The Israeli parliament,called the Knesset and the Supreme Court Building are both located in modern Jerusalem.
Predominant Architecture:
Jerusalem’s skyline is distinct and the city has a somewhat uniform look due to strict building regulations. The height of most structures is limited. Most construction is channeled to hilltops, and the valleys are preserved as open space. The British, who ruled Jerusalem from 1917 to 1948, mandated the use of local limestone, known as Jerusalem Stone, for all facades. Jerusalem Stone is a pinkish-white color, and its hue changes throughout the day as the light changes.
Places to See:
The Temple Mount: Called Haram esh-Sharif by Muslims, is located in the Old City. Tradition holds that Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac on this site. It was here that King David established the First Temple of Israel in about 1000 BC.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: It stands on what is traditionally held to be the hill of Golgotha, where the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ occurred.
The Via Dolorosa: The route traditionally believed to be taken by Jesus Christ on the way to his crucifixion.
Israel Museum (1965): Houses the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are exhibited.
The Rockefeller Museum (1938): Contains important archaeological finds
The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum (1953): The official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
