ATTRACTIONS

Jerusalem Attractions

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem, the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection. First constructed in 335 by Emperor Constantine, persistent damage has been inflicted on the structure over the centuries and subsequent repair work has been undertaken by the religious communities that administer it. The Church contains the Chapel of Golgotha and three Stations of the Cross where Jesus was crucified, and the Sepulchre itself marks the place of his burial and resurrection.

Address: Via Dolorosa, Old City; Telephone: (02) 627 3314; Transport: Bus to Jaffa Gate; from there walk through the Old City; Opening time: Daily 5am to 9pm (April to September) and 4am to 7pm (October to March); Admission: Free

Jerusalem Attractions

Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif)

Temple Mount, known by some as Mount Moriah, is a site of tremendous religious importance to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. It is one of Jerusalem's most famous landmarks and can be found within the walled section of the Old City. The glinting golden dome of the Dome of the Rock rises impressively from Jerusalem's skyline and has become the city's most distinguishable feature. Temple Mount is of Jewish and Christian historical importance on two accounts: the large rock is believed to be the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac up for sacrifice, and the First Temple is the place where the Ark of the Covenant was housed. Even though off limits to Jews today, it is still the focal point of Jewish life and Jews worldwide face the Temple Mount during prayer. For Muslims the same rock is the place from which Muhammad, in a dream, ascended to heaven. In commemoration the Dome of the Rock was built over the site in the 7th century. It is known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary or Al-Haram al-Sharif, and is one of the three most important sites in Islam. Also located on the Temple Mount are the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic Museum, which houses a collection of Korans and Islamic relics.

Address: Temple Mount, Old City; Telephone: (02) 628 3393; Transport: Bus to the Dung Gate; Opening time: The site is temporarily closed to non-Muslims due to religious tensions. Otherwise Saturday to Thursday 7.30 to 11am and 1.30pm to 3pm (summer; 8am to 10.30am and 12.20pm to 2pm (winter) ; closed Fridays and prayer times; Admission: IS36 (Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Museum); Temple Mount free

Jerusalem Attractions

Western Wall (HaKotel HaMaaravi)

The Western Wall, known to non-Jews as the Wailing Wall, is the most sacred Jewish site of prayer in the world, the place where thousands of worshippers gather year round to pray and even leave prayers folded into its crevices. The 1,916ft (584m) wall is all that remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, built in 30BC by King Herod. It is made up of enormous stone blocks and serves as a tribute to the scale of workmanship in past eras. Following Orthodox Jewish practise the praying sections have been separated for men and women. Men are required to wear a skullcap (kippah) and women must be modestly dressed. On Fridays, the Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath, the men's section particularly pulsates with the songs and prayers of the faithful, for in principle the whole area is an Orthodox synagogue. The wall is also sacred to Muslims who believe that it is where the prophet Mohammed tied up his winged horse, Al Burak, before ascending into heaven.

Address: Temple Mount, Old City; Transport: Bus to Dung Gate; Opening time: Daily 24 hours; Admission: Free

Jerusalem Attractions

Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa (Road of Sorrow), also known as the Way of the Cross, is the route Jesus is said to have followed as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion. There are 14 stations along the way commemorating different events, starting at Lion's Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, where Jesus was convicted by Pontius Pilate, and ending at his tomb, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre within the Christian Quarter. Every Friday at 3pm priests lead a procession and prayers are said at each station. A steady stream of pilgrims remember and honour Jesus' sacrifice by walking the Way of the Cross each year.

Address: Via Dolorosa, Old City; Transport: Bus to Lion�s Gate; Opening time: Daily 24 hours; Admission: Free

Jerusalem Attractions

Yad VaShem

This vital memorial to the Holocaust provides a multifaceted tribute to the millions of Jews who died during World War II. The focus of the museum is to commemorate and document the events of the Holocaust and provide ongoing research and education. The Museum's archive collection is the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of material containing documents, photographs, films and videotaped testimonies of survivors. These can be read and viewed in the allocated rooms and is a sobering experience. An inspiring tribute to the victims is The Hall of Names, which details names of the holocaust victims. Symbolic gravestones are created from the 'Pages of Testimony' that record the biographical details of millions of deceased. Yad Vashem's library contains an impressive collection of material in many languages. The Historical Museum chronicles the history of the holocaust from the implementation of the Nazi's anti-Jewish policies to the mass murder of millions of people. The display includes photographs, artefacts, documents and audio-visual material. An important collection of Holocaust art is displayed in Yad Vashem's Art Museum. The International School for Holocaust Studies and Holocaust Research provide education and ongoing research on the Holocaust at both national and international levels. Other facets of the Yad Vashem experience include the Righteous Among the Nations, honouring the non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews; and the Encyclopaedia of Communities which records the historical-geographical communities of Jews destroyed or damaged during the Nazi regime.

Address: Har Hazikaron; E-mail: tourism@yadvashem.org.il; Website: www.yadvashem.org; Telephone: (02) 644 3749 or (02) 644 3686; Transport: By bus to Mt. Herzl on Herzl Boulevard; Opening time: Sunday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursdays 9am to 8pm, Fridays and eve of holidays 9am to 2pm. Entrance is allowed until an hour before closing; Admission: Free, guided tours are subject to a fee

Jerusalem Attractions

The Israel Museum

The Israel Museum has achieved world-class status with its remarkable collections spanning prehistoric archaeology to contemporary art. These include displays of archaeology from the Holy Land, a comprehensive compilation of Judaica and ethnology of Jewish people, and a fine art collection encompassing the Old Masters to renowned contemporary works. Perhaps the most famous exhibit are the Dead Sea Scrolls, they date from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD, and were unearthed in 1947. Numerous temporary exhibitions, publications and educational activities form part of the museum's cultural programme and over 950,000 visitors are drawn to this vast complex each year. Another great attraction of the Museum is its Art Garden that was designed by the Japanese-American sculptor, Isamu Noguchi. It is a fusion of Zen landscaping incorporating the natural vegetation of the area such as rosemary bushes, olive and fig trees. Displayed within this picturesque setting are the famous sculptures of Rodin, Bourdelle, Maillol, David Smith, Henry Moore, Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt and James Turrell.

Address: Ruppin Boulevard, near Parliament; E-mail: sb@imj.org.il; Website: www.imj.org.il; Telephone: (02) 670 8811; Transport: Buses 9, 17, 24/24a, and 99; Opening time: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursdays, Saturday and holidays 10am to 5pm; Tuesday 4pm to 9pm (August 10am to 9pm); Friday, and Passover 10am to 2pm; Admission: Adults NIS42, Students NIS30, Children (age 5 to 17) NIS21. Concessions are available. Price of ticket includes audio guide. Volunteer guides conduct tours in English, Hebrew, French and Spanish (free with admission to museum)

Jerusalem Attractions

Citadel or Tower of David

The Citadel was constructed in the 1st century BC as a fortress for King Herod and has since served as a strategic defence position to the Old City. The tallest tower of the Citadel, the Phasael, is the place to appreciate the magnificent view as well as the orientation of the Old City. The Citadel contains the excellent Museum of the History of Jerusalem, featuring fascinating displays of 4,000 years of the city's past.

Address: Jaffa Gate; E-mail: tower@netvision.net.il; Website: www.towerofdavid.org.il/eng; Telephone: (02) 626 5333, or (02) 626 5310 (24-hr information line); Transport: Bus 20; Opening time: June to August open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm, Friday and holidays 10am to 2pm ; Admission: NIS30 (adults), NIS20 (students and pensioners). NIS15 (children)