Round and about Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city with over 6000 years of history that encompasses the birth of civilization and the world’s three major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For this reason, Jerusalem has been at the center of major historical events and even today, is one of the world’s most important cities.
Because of its long history, Jerusalem has an amazing variety of historic and religious sites for visitors to explore, especially in old Jerusalem. In fact, tourism is one of Jerusalem’s major sources of income.
The enjoyment of your Jerusalem experience depends, in no small way, to the quality of the Jerusalem hotels you decide to stay at. In this respect, just as Jerusalem is blessed with so much to see and do, so it is blessed with a huge range of hotels so that every visitor can find hotels that suite his needs and budget. The newly redecorated and refurbished Inbal Hotel, overlooking the walls of old Jerusalem is the perfect hotel to use as your base when exploring the wonders of Jerusalem. Centrally located to all the major sites and attractions that Jerusalem has to offer, the hotel has over 280 luxuriously furnished rooms and suites, a new heath club with luxurious and relaxing treatment rooms, fitness room and year round swimming pool are unparalleled by any of the other Jerusalem hotels .
East Jerusalem - the Old City
East Jerusalem offers visitors an amazing variety of sites to visit. To describe them all would make this article into a guide book, and we just don’t have the space. However, we will tell you about what we consider to be some of the best.
The Western or Wailing Wall - the last remnant of Herod’s Temple and the most sacred spot in Jerusalem and the world for all Jews. The awesome sight of these huge 2000 year old stones inspires the soul and even the most secular of Jews and even non-Jews are moved to place a note between the cracks of these ageless symbols of hope and faith.
Temple Mount or the Noble Sanctuary- the third holiest site in the world for all Moslems, reputed to be the spot from which the Prophet Mohammed rose up to Heaven. Because this is also said to be the site of both Jewish Temples, the Mount has been the scene of much controversy over the years. Today, there are two beautiful mosques on the Mount; the Dome of the Rock with its dazzling golden dome and the al-Aqsa Mosque which are the oldest Islamic structures in existence.
There are many sites holy to Christianity in Jerusalem:
The holiest Christian site in the world, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem houses the tomb and burial slab where Jesus' body was placed before his resurrection, Via Dolorosa - crossing Jerusalem’s Muslim quarter, this is the route that Jesus is said to have taken on the way to his crucifixion and is the site today of many religious processions by pilgrims to Jerusalem.
Chapel of the Ascension - set on the Mount of Olives and overlooking Jerusalem, this chapel marks the spot where Jesus ascended to heaven following his crucifixion and resurrection.
But don’t be deceived, Jerusalem is much more than holy sites. Jerusalem is a vibrant, bustling city, a truly multicultural environment with something to offer everyone. Enjoy your stay.