[Alina Ovesea]
2020-01-28 18:37:15
City break in Israel: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
[cultural] [ historic , archaeological , based on books / movies , religious , architectonic , ancient , heritage UNESCO , educational ]
english
5
1,910 RON
67
Difficulty
Description
Jerusalem is something completely unique and different from everything you have ever seen. It is a melting pot for different civilizations and religions, it is a place so diverse and tolerant and surprisingly peaceful. The Old city of Jerusalem is divided into 4 quarters: the Muslim, the Jewish, the Christian and the Armenian. The Muslim quarter is the biggest. At all time you can tell where you are by the buildings, by looking at the people and distinct signs on the walls. The thing about Jerusalem is that everyone is right, everyone has a claim in the Holy Land. It is a place of importance for all the main monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. For Christians is the place where Jesus lived and was crucified, for Jewish people is the most sacred place in the world where the second temple of David was constructed and for Muslims is the third most holy place after Mecca and Medina. This itinerary is mostly about Jerusalem, but Tel Aviv is a nice addition. The 2 cities are the definition of opposite - one is very old, very keen in keeping the tradition going, a true religious center, the other is very cosmopolite and trendy, very opened to new, with a lot of ventures going on and with a decadent beach front. The visit will transport you completely, you don't feel that you are in the same place, or even the same country. I've dedicated 3 days to Jerusalem and 1 day tp Tel Aviv and I think it was the right choice. Jerusalem has so many layers, and you need the time to take it all in, while Tel Aviv was nice and refreshing, I think 1 day covers everything. In the 3 days spend in Jerusalem, I divided them like this: day 1 arrive and take in the concept of Jerusalem, day 2 should be a religious itinerary, starting with Jewish faith, Muslim faith and moving on the Christian faith, and the 3rd day its all about the highs and lows of Jerusalem and the history of this ancient city.
Points
Landed at Ben Gurion Airport
[starting point]
distance
0.5km
Duration
00:9 h
Train ticket
[information] [payment point]
34.0 RON
Train from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem
[transport] [train]
distance
42.6km
Duration
00:34 h
Description
The airport is very well connected with Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In one hour you will get to where you need.
Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon Train Station
[transport] [walk]
Mahane Yehuda Market
[landmark] [market / bazaar]
We went to the accommodation to leave our luggage.
[information] [check in]
Cellcom operator SIM
[other services] [SIM]
90.0 RON
Jaffa Gate
[landmark] []
Description
The main entrance into the old city of Jerusalem. It dates back to sixteenth century. It is called Jaffa gate because it would take the road to Jaffa from there - the old port in TelAviv that we will visit later in our trip. The Arabic name for the gate is Bab el-Khalil meaning Gate of the Friend
Tower of David
[landmark] []
Armenian quarter
[landmark] [neighborhood]
Description
Jerusalem is divided into 4 quarters, from which the Armenian Quarter is the smallest. It can be included into Christian Quarter, but the practice are somehow different. The existence of Armenian Quarter dates back to the Armenian Genocide in 1915 when 1,5 million Armenians were killed. So Armenians found refuge in Jerusalem. The quarter is not visitable, you can access just some of the shops, restaurant and a church to get a glimpse of their culture. I think it is important to mention that Armenia was the first country to become Christian in 301.
Jewish quarter
[landmark] [neighborhood]
View of Jerusalem
[landmark] [view point/ panorama]
Cardo - Roman Street
[landmark] [archaeological site]
Description
Cardo was the main road in the Roman Cities. Once again proof of this multimillennial city and its layered history. you notice that the road is much lower that the nowadays streets. Jerusalem just grew on the ruins of the previous empire. The road had shops on both sides and it connected the Damascus Gate to Zion Gate during the Roman & Byzantine eras.
Mosaic Madaba Map
[landmark] [painting]
Description
The Cardo is depicted in this Madaba Map Mosaic replica. The original map, dated to the 6th century AD, was discovered in a floor mosaic in a Byzantine church in Madaba, Jordan. The Madaba Map is a map of the Middle East, and contains the oldest surviving detailed cartographic depiction of Jerusalem.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Description
This is the most sacred place for Christians. It is believed that this is the place of the Crucifixion of Christ (Golgotha) and the tomb of Christs. When the event took place, this would have been out of the city. The church was build latter in this place. The hole church is a complex of buildings - smaller churches, chapels and representations of different Christian countries.
warnings
The church is a major Christian pilgrimage destination so expect crowds.
Stay Kook Jerusalem
[accommodation] [hotel]
366.0 RON
end day 1
[end day]
Ben-Sira Hummus
[food and beverages] [restaurant]
62.0 RON
Saint James Cathedral (Armenian Quarter)
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Zion Gate
[landmark] [gate]
Rothschild House
[landmark] [building]
Jewish quarter defenders monument an the 6 days war
[landmark] [memorial]
Hurva Synagogue (Jewish Quarter)
[landmark] [synagogue]
Security check at Western Wall
[information] [safety notifications]
Western Wall
[landmark] [wall]
Description
This is the most important and sacred place for Jews. It is considered to be the closest to the place where the Second Temple was build. The Western Wall is part of the base structure constructed with huge lime stone. The purpose was to create a flat plaza on the top of the mountain, so the this wall was constructed all around and it was filled with earth. The Temple Mount is now part of a Muslim management because it hosts the Third most scared place for Muslims hosting Al Aqsa Compound. The cracks in the Western Wall are filled with folded paper containing the wishes of people who come here to pray. The place it is divided for men and women.
Tea
[food and beverages] [coffee shop]
10.0 RON
The Small Western Wall
[landmark] [wall]
Golden Gate
[landmark] [gate]
Description
From the west side, we came to the east side of Temple Mount. This is also a very important part of Jerusalem. According to Jewish tradition this is the gate through which Messiah would enter Jerusalem on the second coming. The gate is closed and a Muslim cemetery was build here.
Lion's Gate
[landmark] [gate]
Birthplace of Virgin Mary
[landmark] [house]
Saint Anne Church
[landmark] [church / monastery]
The Pool of Bethesda
[landmark] [ancient city]
20.0 RON
Via Dolorosa
[landmark] [street / road]
Via Dolorosa Station 1: Jesus's condemnation at the Praetorium
[landmark] [archaeological site]
Via Dolorosa Station 2: Chapel of Flagellation
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 2: Chapel of the Condemnation
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Ecce Home Arch
[landmark] [arch]
Description
As you walk on Via Dolorosa, you see half an arch crossing the road. This is the Ecce Home Arch and you can see only on of the three original arches. The northern arch is embedded into the Chapel of the Sisters of Zion, and the southern one din not survive. The meaning of the name is Here is the man, referring to the mortal appearance of Jesus. Visit the Monastery and the cistern below. As you go down into the cistern you come closer to the ancient roads that probably are the real stones that Jesus walked on.
Via Dolorosa Station 3: Jesus falls the first time
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 4: Jesus meets his mother
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 5: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 7: Jesus falls for the second time
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Via Dolorosa Station 10 to 14: Church of the Holy Sepulchre
[landmark] [church / monastery]
Map of Jerusalem
[landmark] [exhibition]
Stay Kook Suites
[accommodation] [hotel]
366.0 RON
end day 2
[end day]
Ticket for Northern Ramparts walk
[information] [payment point]
40.0 RON
Northern Ramparts Walk Jerusalem
[landmark] [tour]
Description
The walk on Northern Ramparts is an experience you don't want to miss in your Jerusalem itinerary. You start walking on the wall at Jaffa Gate and you finish the tour at Lions' Gate. You are basically walking on the defensive wall and you get some amazing views over the old city. And seeing the daily bustle from above it gives you a sense of how life was here for the last 2000 years. We start in the Christian Quarter and then we enter the Muslim Quarter. The Christian Quarter is calm, with a western vibe, we saw a Christmas tree, some imposing buildings. As you move along to the Damascus Gate, the bustling life of the souks (markets) changes completely the scenery.
Mosque
[landmark] [mosque]
View of the Dome of the Rock
[landmark] [view point/ panorama]
Golgotha
[landmark] [rock formation]
Gihon spring
[landmark] [spring]
Description
Jewish culture is very strong related to the water source, necessary for purification before entering sacred places. Gihon spring is the source of water the Jews used before entering the Temple of Jerusalem. But for a string fortress it is necessary the water source to be protected from possible enemies. So Gihon Spring was collected in a man-made channel cut in stone, so none can have access to it. It is possible to walk on this tunnel, but be aware that the water is cold.
Ticket office for the pools of Siloam
[information] [payment point]
50.0 RON
City of David
[landmark] [archaeological site]
Western Wall Tunnels
[landmark] [archaeological site]
140.0 RON
Description
Right next to the exposed Western Wall where we saw masses of Jews praying, there is an archeological excavation on going. Israel authorities are not allowed to dig under the Temple Mount, so all the digging is happening on the exterior walls. During the last 2000 years , houses are build on top of previous one, and the base of the wall was covered. Buying the ticket to see the Western Wall Tunnels, gives you the chance to visit the base of the wall and wonder about the technology and engineering that made possible this impressive construction. Buy tickets online, so you make sure you have a reserved spot (https://www.thekotel.org/en/western_wall_sites/western_wall_tunnels/) . Be aware that the visits and even the website do not work Fridays and Saturdays. Be aware that this is part of the Western Wall and it is considered sacred. You will find people praying here, so make sure you are respectful. After walking on the base of the Western Wall you will arrive at the cistern that once was part of the cistern visited yesterday at the Chapel of the Sisters of Zion.
Stay Kook Suites
[accommodation] [hotel]
366.0 RON
end day 3
[end day]
Train Station Yerusalem Navon
[transport] [walk]
distance
5.1km
Duration
00:1 h
Train Station Yerusalem Navon
[transport] [train]
walk
[transport] [walk]
distance
66.6km
Duration
08:05 h
end day 4
[end day]
walk
[transport] [walk]
distance
0.4km
Duration
00:27 h
walk
[transport] [walk]
Ben Gurion Airport
[end point]
Statistics
868m
-9m
877m
4,854m
226km
32:35 h
Means of transport
walk
112.1km
874.9m
30:18 h
train
109.2km
869.9m
01:58 h
bus
2.7km
39m
00:10 h
tram
1.7km
38.7m
00:8 h