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If you’re looking for a unique activity for the whole family and all ages, the special sifting activity of the Temple Mount is an excellent idea for you! A unique and fascinating experience, that allows you to hold the story of the Temple Mount in your very hands.All members of the family will try themselves in real archaeological work, becoming real-life archaeologists who are seeking historical relics in the soil.<h3>HOW THE ACTIVITY GOES?</h3>You’ll listen to the story of the soil you’ll be sifting. It was removed from the Temple Mount site in the dead of night, and now you’d look for archaeology in it. The Temple Mount was such an important place with a rich history. Remnants of it can be found in every fistful of dirt – jewelry, seal prints, ancient weapons, decorated flooring tiles from the Temple, and countless other special items that will fill up the pages of history.And you and your family can contribute to that.Over 200,000 people have already taken part in the sifting work, with thousands of diverse remains uncovered – the names of each person who found them were marked as well, being mentioned in the media in Israel and around the world.<h3>SO WHAT’S THE STORY IN A NUTSHELL?</h3>It all started in 1999 when illegal construction work on the Temple Mount was initiated by the Muslim Waqf. To protect the historical value of the soil, huge amounts of earth containing archaeological remains of the temple were excavated and evacuated to Kedron Creek. Since the Temple Mount is inaccessible for archaeological excavation, sifting the dirt removed from it provides a rare opportunity to uncover the archaeological treasures that remained hidden in the mountain’s soil.Is the idea of discovering items of Jewish history excite you? Take the role of an archaeologist for a day and help save and uncover ancient relics from the most important site in the heritage of the People of Israel!

JOIN THE TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT & REVEAL JERUSALEM’S BURIED SECRETS

צילום: פרויקט סינון העפר מהר הבית

Sinun Temple mount

Meet Ancient Jerusalem, the City of David National Park, with a variety of attractions and tours that you won't find anywhere else.&nbsp;<h3>Tours and attractions for the whole family</h3>The City of David is located southeast of the Old City, on the Hill of the Ophel near the Western Wall. The ancient city's importance in Bible study makes the City of David the most important archaeological site in the Land of Israel. At this site, archaeological excavations were conducted by countless expeditions. Excavations continue to be carried out in the area and new and fascinating findings are constantly being revealed.Hallelujah: A Spectacular nighttime show in the City of David<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itraveljerusalem.com/event/city-of-david-night-show/">Hallelujah Fire and Water</a> – This is a spectacular night-time show presented on top of the antiquities of the City of David with first-of-its-kind pyrotechnics in the land of Fire and water. The show combines a fascinating script of the story of Zion's return, revolutionary animation, and an exciting soundtrack. This is an unforgettable multi-sensory experience delivered to the audience by advanced technological means – only in Hallelujah can you go back in time and become part of the exciting story of ancient Jerusalem.Bar Mitzvah and Family Celebrations in the City of DavidHow about a family celebration in a unique atmosphere? The City of David invites you to have an extraordinary experience with unique hosting complexes that combine luxurious boutique design and an atmosphere that can only be found in Jerusalem – in its clear mountain air, stunning landscapes, history, and unforgettable holy atmosphere. The complexes are perfect for weddings, Bar Mitzvah, and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies (including a procession from the Western Wall to the City of David), birthdays, social events, and other joys. Celebrate your special occasion in the place where Jerusalem was born.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itraveljerusalem.com/attraction/city-of-david-private-events/">Find out the perfect venue for your event.</a>Photos courtesy of the City of David Archive

The City of David

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Enjoy unique times in the city of kings and prophets, where about half of the Bible books were written and most of the stories took place in biblical Jerusalem, a VR experience, and a spectacular night show projected on top of the ancient walls of the City of David.

The birthplace of Jerusalem

&nbsp;You can visit the museum, experience changing exhibitions, and watch spectacular shows throughout the year. In addition, the museum hosts cultural events, tours, and unique art exhibitions.The activities at the Tower of David are suitable for Israelis and tourists of any age, regardless of religion, race, gender, or nationality. They give visitors an unusual experience through which they can get to know, learn and understand the city's long and fascinating tale. The Tower of David Museum and its impressive archaeological findings unfold the story of the city over three thousand years of history.&nbsp;The mysterious and impressive Kishle building, located next to the citadel, provides visitors with a glimpse of selected chapters in the city's history, such as the stories of Hezekiah's wall, Herod's palace, the Ottoman walls, and the British detention center. The ancient and beautifully restored citadel stands at the main entrance to the old city, Jaffa Gate, which carries a deep symbolic meaning between ancient and modern Jerusalem even today.<h2>New in the museum</h2>The Tower of David Museum is now reopened after an extensive upgrade that included the preservation of the ancient citadel, the renovation of the minaret - the iconic symbol of Jerusalem, the construction of a new entrance pavilion and a museum store, the renewal of infrastructure, improved accessibility in the citadel, and the most prominent highlight: a new permanent display of 10 galleries, integrating Innovative technology, interactive exhibits, archaeological finds, and ancient objects. The ticket to the museum includes a visit to the new permanent display, guided tours around the museum, entrance to the mo at and Kishla, a climb to the &nbsp;Phasael tower - 360° view of Jerusalem, and a stroll through the citadel courtyard. &nbsp;An audio guide and disposable headphones are provided to the visitors.Jerusalem from a bird's eye view: Join a new tour that will take you on an adventure within historical models that present Jerusalem's timeline. The new tour will allow is an open-air tour through the spacious citadel courtyard and invites visitors to get to know Jerusalem and discover how it has changed throughout history. The tour includes unique historical models of Jerusalem that describe the changes in the capital over thousands of years. Among the models, you can find a large, rare, detailed model of Jerusalem in the 19th century inside a 1500-year-old cistern. Along the tour, you will stop at points of interest and remains from different periods discovered in archaeological excavations in the citadel.&nbsp;Admission includes an audio guide and disposable headphones.&nbsp;The mystery of Herod's Palace and the Kishle: A new tour that invites visitors to a fascinating journey into Jerusalem's past. Come and observe the significant events and stories that shaped history; A journey beginning in the citadel complex and continuing to the trench complex and the Kishle. In 1999, the Antiquities Authority carried out an extensive archaeological excavation in the Kishle and revealed the city's secrets from the days of the First Temple to the present day. Now the site is open for independent visits for the first time. The tour passes through the remains of King Herod's palace, a Jewish factory from the Middle Ages, and the detention center in Kishle. It includes rare findings, fascinating stories, and testimonies. Admission includes an audio guide and disposable headphones.<h2>The night shows at the Tower of David&nbsp;</h2>The night shows at the Tower of David are a multi-sensory, breathtaking experience of sights and sounds. The citadel's walls and the archaeological remains in its courtyard are used as a setting for an impressive performance, unfolding Jerusalem's historical story using cutting-edge technologies and original music. The show "King David" reviews King David's history intertwined with Jerusalem's history and tells the story using innovative technology.&nbsp;The show is an immersive and spectacular journey within the great historical drama of King David - builder and founder of Jerusalem. The show "The Night Vision" is a powerful and experiential audiovisual show like no other that tells the story of Jerusalem with pictures and images projected on the ancient walls, the archaeological ruins, and the hidden paths of the citadel. The night vision and the King David show are for speakers of all languages. The shows are shown twice a week as of this moment.&nbsp;An entrance ticket to the museum does not include entry to the night shows. Tickets for the night show - King David and The Night Vision can be purchased separately. The entrance to the museum is from David Garden – the Western entrance to the Tower of David, adjacent to Jaffa Gate, at the end of Mamilla Boulevard. For more information about accessibility, don't hesitate to get in touch with 072-3290715

The Tower of David Museum

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The Tower of David Museum is one of the distinct symbols of Jerusalem that represents thousands of years of history.

Experience exhibitions and spectacular night shows

Look at pictures of the old city versus the new: fascinating views from the past, Jerusalem neighborhoods, and major sites in the capital. Incredible sights are reflected from the walls and compose Jerusalem's unique mosaic together.<h2>The tour tracks in the Walls Promenade</h2>A walk on Jerusalem's walls from above allows a spectacular panoramic view of the city and its sites. The tour route runs along most of the wall (except the Temple Mount area). It is divided into two: the southern promenade - passes over the Armenian and the Jewish quarters from Jaffa Gate to Zion Gate (with the option of reaching near the Dung Gate and the Western Wall's prayer plaza).&nbsp;The northern promenade passes over the Christian and Muslim quarters from Jaffa Gate through the New Gate, Damascus Gate, to the Flower Gate. Please note, the entrance to both promenades, the southern and the northern, is from Jaffa Gate.&nbsp;In addition, you can also enjoy a challenging and combined route.

Ramparts Walks

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Come and get to know Jerusalem from the heights of the Walls Promenade in the Old City.

Enjoy the amazing views of the city 

Gallery 4+: Historical site Listing English

Historical Sites in Jerusalem

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Attractions

Leading from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloan, Hezekia’s Tunnel (also known as the Shiloah Tunnel) is one of only a few 8th-century-BC structures worldwide that are fully accessible to the public.

Hezekiah's Tunnels - City of David

The Dome of the Ascension is west of the Dome of the Rock. It is a church with a cruciform structure from the 12th century used as a Christian baptismal chapel that preserves the memory of Jesus' ascension to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. With the city's conquest by the Muslims, the dome was dedicated to commemorating the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to heaven. Today the building serves as an office of the Waqf.

Accessibility

Dome of the Ascension

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the most sacred site for millions of Christian believers

Free Entry

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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The Mount of Olives is a high ridge that flanks ancient Jerusalem from the east and separates it from the Judean Desert. The ridge crowns Jerusalem from the east, starting from the slopes of Kidron river in the south and ending at Mount Scopus in the north. 

Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

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One of Jerusalem’s quainter areas is in and around Emek Refaim Street, where a group of German Templar's – not to be confused with the Knights Templar – founded a colony in 1873. The Templar's were a breakaway Protestant sect that encouraged believers to go to the Holy Land ahead of the impending Messianic redemption. They built their homes according to the dictates of the day’s German style, mostly one- or two-story farmhouses with shuttered windows and tiled roofs. In 1878, the Templar community established a cemetery where they buried community members and leaders.
The cemetery also includes a monument to 47 Templar soldiers killed in World War I. During World War II, the colony was dismantled and its members – German nationals who weren’t shy about their Nazi sympathies – were evacuated. Today the German Colony, and especially its main street, Emek Refaim, is one of hippest, trendiest spots in Jerusalem, with many boutiques and cafes. If you stop by and want to pay a visit to the Templar Cemetery, make sure to coordinate in advance.

The Templar Cemetery

Al-Aqsa Mosque, located south of the Temple Mount near Shlomo's Ark, is a large and impressive place of prayer and one of the most important and sacred mosques in the Muslim world. The Al-Aqsa Mosque has the structure of a Byzantine basilica, and its dome is visible from a distance. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the mosque, but you can visit the complex during opening hours without entering the buildings.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Gethsemane is where according to the Christian tradition and as described in the New Testament, Jesus prayed his last prayer the night before his crucifixion and was tormented before being handed over to the Romans by Judas Iscariot.

The Garden of Olives - Gethsemane

The Gihon Spring was the main source of water for the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem. The spring was not only used for drinking water, but also initially for irrigation of gardens in the adjacent Kidron Valley. Today, the spring is sometimes used by Jewish men as a sort of mikvah (ritual bath).
 
Three main water systems allowed water to be brought from the spring to the city under cover: Warren's Shaft, Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Middle Bronze Age channel. Warren's Shaft and Hezekiah's Tunnel can be viewed today when visiting the City of David National Park.
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Gihon Spring at The City of David

The Jaffa Gate is one of the eight gates of the Old City of Jerusalem. The gate is located on the city's western side, and you can reach it by public transport or private car, which we recommend leaving in the Mamilla Boulevard parking lot or the Karta parking lot (which is closer).

Paid Parking

Jaffa Gate

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Located just outside of <a title="Getting to Bethlehem" href="/articles/travel-from-jerusalem-to-bethlehem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bethlehem</a>, along the road of the forefathers that connects Nablus and Hebron, Rachel's tomb is where Jews and Muslims believe the foremother Rachel was buried. Rachel was the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and the burial site is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
According to Jewish tradition, Rachel wept from her tomb as the Jews passed it on their way to the Babylonian exile, and it subsequently became a pilgrimage site for prayer and continues to be until this day, especially on holidays and the Hebrew date on the calendar commemorating Rachel's death. You will also see women collecting stones from around the tomb as part of a traditional belief that it will ease labor while giving birth.
The tomb is generally open 24 hours, but depending on the security situation it is sometimes closed from 10:00 pm at night until 12:00 pm the next day, and large groups may have to coordinate their visit with Israeli security.
Photo: Kluger Zoltan

Rachel's Tomb

The Garden Tomb is an especially popular site, brimming with lush green niches, making it a definite item on your list to visit. The garden is quiet and tranquil, suitable for prayer and reflection. There is no need to reserve in advance, but we recommend coordinating a visit nevertheless, by phoning 02-6272745, especially for groups.

The Garden Tomb

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A unique journey that aims and succeeds to bring to life the familiar figures of the Bible through a photographic journey. 

Live the Bible - A Photographic Journey

A photo exhibit of the defenders of the Jewish Quarter

Alone on the Walls - 1948 Old City Siege

Although initially built to invoke the memory of the synagogue that served the Hasidim in Europe, Jerusalem’s Belz Great Synagogue is anything but a replica of the original. The extravagant, massive structure is the largest synagogue in Jerusalem – probably the largest in the world, as well – and can host as many as 7,000 worshipers in its central sanctuary. Visible from the Route 1 city entrance, the resplendent synagogue resembles the Second Temple - a site in its own right, especially as it's lit up at night.
The synagogue was completed in the year 2000 after years of planning and fundraising and includes study halls, smaller synagogues for weekday prayers, libraries, dorms, and halls. The ark in the main sanctuary houses some 100 Torah scrolls and is 15 meters high. Visitors to the Belz Great Synagogue are advised to dress modestly (for women, skirts should extend below the knees and sleeves below the elbow), and come on a Saturday (Shabbat) or a Jewish holiday. Although it is not officially a tourist site, and some of the congregants may be suspicious of tourists, there is often someone on hand who will be happy to show you around this magnificent edifice.
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The Belz Great Synagogue

The Church of Mary Magdalene is a Russian church on the western slopes of the Mount of Olives. The church was nicknamed the Onion Church thanks to its domes shape on its minarets that look like golden onions.

Not Accessible

Church of Mary Magdalene

This is one of the most beautiful and impressive gates among the gates of the wall, which was built during the times of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent from the 16th century. This is a central gate in the wall and it faces the north, towards Nablus and Damascus. In English it is named Damascus Gate, and in Arabic- “Bab El Amud” (“the gate of the pillar”), probably due to the pillar that stood at the center of the gate’s courtyard during the Roman-Byzantine era, as evident in the Madaba Map, which was discovered in Jordan. Turban-like decorations decorate the gate, and due to its importance, many observations points and guard towers were built there.

During the Roman era, a stone-paved courtyard was built here, and at its center stood the statue of the emperor. Two streets started from this courtyard, leading towards the south. To this day, two main streets split from Damascus Gate, preserving the Roman structure of this area: the right street is the Khan A- Zeit  or Beit Habad street, and the left street is El Wad Street- or Hagai. Both are commercial streets that cross the city from north to south.

Excavations conducted in this place after 1967 exposed under the Ottoman gate remnants of the Roman Square, as well as remnants of the Roman Gate. This was a magnificent gate with three arched openings. The central arch was twice as wide and tall than the two arches on both sides of it. The opening on the extreme left survived almost completely and was exposed in the excavations.

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Damascus Gate

Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, the Dome of the Rock is built on top of the <a href="https://itraveljerusalem.com/attraction/temple-mount/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Temple Mount</a> in the Old City. At the heart of the sanctuary is the Foundation Stone where, according to Islamic tradition, the prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven.
The Dome, which was completed in 691-692 A.D., and has since come to define Jerusalem’s skyline, is an excellent example of middle Byzantine art. The man who initiated the construction, Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, hoped that the building, a shrine for pilgrims rather than a mosque for public worship, would “house the Muslims from cold and heat.” The structure was restored many times throughout the centuries, coated once with gold, then with tiles.
The most recent restoration of the site was carried out in 1998 by Jordan’s King Hussein II, who sold one of his houses in London to help fund the 80 kilograms of gold required to coat the dome. The sanctuary’s lavish interior is decorated with mosaic, marble and inscriptions. One of the reasons why the sanctuary has remained intact through the centuries, withstanding earthquakes that destroyed many nearby structures, is its octagonal shape.
Non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to enter the Dome of the Rock, but can get a close look from the Temple Mount courtyard during regular non-Muslim visiting hours.
As with other holy sites in Jerusalem, visitors to the Temple Mount are asked to dress modestly.

Visit Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem

NOTE: Last entry is 1 hour before closing time
Historian Josephus writes that King Herod the Great built a magnificent palace at a spot located about 12 kilometers south of Jerusalem in order to commemorate his military victory over the Parthians. Herod "built a town on that spot in commemoration of his victory, and enhanced it with wonderful palaces... and he called it Herodion after himself," the Jewish-Roman historian writes in The Wars of the Jews.
He goes on to note the strength of the fortress, located alongside a hill with a distinct conical (he calls it breast-like) shape, which Herod greatly expanded and filled with lush gardens, elaborate apartments, and of course, heavily fortified ramparts. And indeed, even today, 2,000 years after Herod's time, Herodion is a wonder to behold. Although the site was conquered and destroyed by the invading Roman army in 70 CE, the ruins are still very well-preserved and include the various halls of the fortress, ritual baths, water cisterns, and the remains of a first-century synagogue built in the Galilean style.
The Herodion is located east of Bethlehem, near the Jewish settlements of Tekoa and Nokdim, and is a major landmark visible for miles around. In 2007, archaeologist Ehud Netzer claimed that he had discovered the tomb of King Herod midway up the hill on the northern slope of Herodion, at a spot that directly corresponds with a description of the King's burial place in Josephus. Netzer died in October 2010, several days after sustaining a bad fall when a railing gave way at the site, which he had been excavating for more than 40 years.

The Herodion National Park - King Herod's Tomb & Castle

In the Kidron Valley, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, near the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, lies Mary’s Tomb

The Tomb of Virgin Mary

The Stations of the Cross are 14 points along the Way of the Cross in the Old City leading from the Church of the Flagellation to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Each Station is marked with a picture, sculpture or etching into the walls of the Old City along the route commemorating the following events that occurred during Jesus's path to crucifixion:

<ul style="text-align: justify;">
 	<li>Jesus is Condemned to Die.</li>
 	<li>Jesus is made to Bear His Cross.</li>
 	<li>Jesus Falls the First Time</li>
 	<li>Jesus Meets His Mother</li>
 	<li>Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross</li>
 	<li>Veronica Wipes Jesus’ Face</li>
 	<li>Jesus Falls the Second Time</li>
 	<li>Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem</li>
 	<li>Jesus Falls the Third Time</li>
 	<li>Jesus is Stripped.</li>
 	<li>Jesus is nailed to the Cross.</li>
 	<li>Jesus Dies on the Cross</li>
 	<li>Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross.</li>
 	<li>Jesus is laid in the Tomb</li>
</ul>
Thousands of Christian pilgrims come from all over the world to walk the Way of the Cross and visit each station.
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The Stations of the Cross

Historical Sites in Jerusalem, Jewish Holy Sites

Historical Sites in Jerusalem

JOIN THE TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT & REVEAL JERUSALEM’S BURIED SECRETS

The City of David

The Tower of David Museum

Ramparts Walks