Jerusalem Attractions

• Western (Wailing) Wall

  

  Type:Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Religious Sites; Ancient Ruins; Monuments/ Statues; Historic Sites

  The Western (“Wailing”) Wall is one of Israel’s biggest tourist attractions. At all hours of the day or night, visitors stream to the Wall to pray, to take photographs, to participate in a demonstration or an army swearing-in ceremony, to attend a Bar Mitzva or just to absorb some of the historic and spiritual atmosphere that permeates the ancient site.

  The Kotel (Western or Wailing wall)-This is all that remains of the old temple Herod built (It is actually the second temple in Jerusalem). The temple took 48 years to build and was destroyed 6 years later. The first was built by King Solomon, then rebuilt by Micah and Nahum, and the second was built by Herod the Great. The Jews pray at the Western wall because it is the closest to where the Holy of Holies is believed to have been in the temple. The Kotel is the holiest place in Judaism. It is the custom to write prayers on small pieces of paper and stick them into the cracks in the wall.

  The best time to go is Friday at dusk when there is a special Shabbot celebration or Holy Days (pictures are not allowed either times)

• Old City of Jerusalem

  

  Type:Historic Walking Areas; Neighbourhoods; Historic Sites; History Museums

  The old city is great fun for the whole family. You can spend more than a day and not get through the attractions. There are the wall tours, which cost a bit. You can take a walk to the walls of the old city (great view), starting from David’s Tower (which is a museum). Then there is the Western Wall which speaks for itself, underground tunnel tours, outside archaeological gardens and Davids Tower. Going back up you can go through the Arab Shuk or through the Jewish Quarter.

  In the Jewish Quarter there are at least 3 nice museums to keep you busy and more archaeological stuff, a little shopping, people watching, and a few good places to eat. There are both fast food like Shewarma Felafel and pizza, and there are also two nice sit-down restaurants called Menorah.

• Israel Museum

  

  Type: History Museums; Museums

  The Israel Museum is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and is ranked among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Founded in 1965, the Museum houses encyclopaedic collections, including works dating from prehistory to the present day, in its Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Jewish Art and Life Wings, and features the most extensive holdings of biblical and Holy Land archaeology in the world. In just forty-five years, thanks to a legacy of gifts and generous support from its circle of patrons worldwide, the Museum has built a far-ranging collection of nearly 500,000 objects, representing the full scope of world material culture.

  In the summer of 2010, the Israel Museum completed the most comprehensive upgrade of its 20-acre campus in its history, featuring new galleries, entrance facilities, and public spaces. The three-year expansion and renewal project was designed to enhance visitor experience of the Museum’s collections, architecture, and surrounding landscape, complementing its original design by Alfred Mansfeld and Dora Gad. Led by James Carpenter Design Associates of New York and Efrat-Kowalsky Architects of Tel Aviv, the project also included the complete renewal and reconfiguration of the Museum’s Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Archaeology Wing, Edmond and Lily Safra Fine Arts Wing, and Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Wing for Jewish Art and Life.

• The City Of David Visitors Center

  

  Type: Tourist/ Visitor Centres

  The city of David is located outside the old city walls. But is actually the original City that King David lived in

  You can go by yourself in the site or join one of the guided tours (highly recommended for only 60 Nis) there is a short 3d movie (15 minutes for 10 NIS) that introduces the site after that you can walk down to the amazing Hezekiah tunnel where you can walk in flowing spring water.

  Be advised that there is a lot of steps going down but from the bottom you can take a mini-bus back up to where you started from for 5NIS you can also buy a small flash light for the water tunnels for 4NIS

  In the Visitors Center you can find a small kiosk, gift shop and toilets. Entry to the Warren shaft and the water tunnel costs 27NIS

• Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial

  

  Type: History Museums, Libraries, Monuments/ Statues

  As the Jewish peoples living memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem safeguards the memory of the past and imparts its meaning for future generations. Established in 1953, as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is today a dynamic and vital place of intergenerational and international encounter.

  For over half a century, Yad Vashem has been committed to four pillars of remembrance: Commemoration, Documentation, Research and Education

For further information call Superstar on 0207 121 1500 or click here to email your enquiry.