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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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Around the Old City Walls

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Attractions

Let’s take a tour of the burnt house and get to know one of the most important sites in the Old City. The Burnt House is a home from the Second Temple period that was excavated during the restoration of the Jewish Quarter after the unification of Jerusalem. 

Accessibility

The Burnt House (Katros House)

The Last Supper Room is located above King David's Tomb on Mount Zion and is considered one of the holiest places for Christianity since, according to Christian tradition, the Last Supper of Jesus was held here. 

Free Entry

The Cenacle, Room of the Last Supper

Kids Friendly

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

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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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

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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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 photo exhibit of the defenders of the Jewish Quarter

Alone on the Walls - 1948 Old City Siege

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

The Temple Mount plaza is built on top of a hill which according to Jewish tradition, is identified as Mount Moriah - the most sacred place for the Jewish people, where the world was created and the binding of Isaac took place. According to Jewish law, this is the only place where the Temple can be built in the future. 

The Temple Mount

The massive wall visible on the eastern side of the courtyard, on the right side of those entering it, is part of the Western Wall that remained exposed, despite the crowded Mameluke buildings that are adjacent to the Temple Mount and conceal most parts of the Western Wall.

The Small Western Wall (Hakotel Hakatan)

The Western Wall (The Kotel in Hebrew) is impressive on its own, but when you descend underground to the Western Wall Tunnels, you discover its true greatness.

English + Other Languages

Languages

Certified Tour Guide

Tour guide

The Western Wall Tunnels

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The Church of St John the Baptist is a small church in the south of the Christian quarter in the old city, at the corner of Christians Street and David Street. 

Church of St. John the Baptist

Often confused with the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, the Mosque of Omar is a far more modest structure located elsewhere in the Old City of Jerusalem, across from the main entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It was built in the 12th century on the site where Caliph Omar Ibn al-Khattab accepted the city's surrender from the Byzantines following a brief siege in 638 CE.
It is told that Omar traveled to Jerusalem after the city’s Patriarch Sophronius stated that he would only surrender to the Caliph himself. When Omar arrived, the Patriarch asked if he would pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Omar, however, refused, opting instead to pray in the courtyard in order to preserve the Church’s Christian status.
The mosque has a distinctively square, 15-meter high minaret that was built in the 15th-century and renovated some 300 years later. Its base contains some Crusader masonry. The mosque is accessible down a short staircase from Christian Quarter Road and is generally open exclusively to Muslims.

Mosque of Omar

The oldest synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, the Ramban Synagogue is named after the great Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides or the Ramban.
In 1267 he was saddened when he visited a devastated Jerusalem, and met only two Jews who worked as painters. "Great is the neglect and vast is the destruction... The entire Temple is utterly ruined, Jerusalem is thoroughly destroyed... And we found a house in ruins built with marble columns and a beautiful dome and we took it to the synagogue because the city is abandoned and anyone who wishes to take from the ruins can help himself," he wrote in a letter to his son.
The Ramban Synagogue was apparently originally built on Mount Zion, where the Jews of Jerusalem had lived previously, and was moved to its current location when the Jews entered the Jewish Quarter in the 14th-century. For many years this was the only synagogue in the city, and it matches the description given by Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura (1440-1530) during his visit to Jerusalem in the 15th-century: "The synagogue in Jerusalem is built upon columns, and it is long and narrow and dark, and it has no light except from a single opening, and inside there is a water cistern."
The synagogue was closed in 1589 by order of the Ottoman ruler, and reopened for prayer after Israel recaptured the Old City in 1967, which happened to be the 700th anniversary year of the Ramban's visit to Israel.
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Ramban Synagogue Jerusalem

Lady Tonsok, daughter of Abdullah al-Muthaffariyye, was the wife of the Mameluke ruler Muthaffar al-Din. The lady dedicated the building at the end of the 14th-century to a Sufi order, a group of Muslim mystics, but continued to live in the palace until she died. She was buried in the tomb chamber across from the palace.
In the 16th-century Mameluke Jerusalem was conquered by the Ottoman army, which was armed with guns and cannons.
Under Ottoman rule Jerusalem became a frontier town at the edge of the Ottoman Empire, but the Temple Mount remained a major religious center. During this time the building was occupied by Hasseki Sultana, the most beloved of the wives of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the builder of the walls around the city of Jerusalem. She was known for her charitable works and established a soup kitchen to feed poor and needy Muslims.
During the later Ottoman Period this became the site of the sar’iyye, the government building, which housed the local government and police force. Today the building is used as a vocational school.

The Lady Tonsok Palace Facade

The Southern Wall is, along with the <a title="Western Wall" href="/city/jerusalem/the-jerusalem-western-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Western Wall</a>, one of the remaining walls of the Old City dating back to the Second Temple expansion by King Herod during the era of Roman rule in Jerusalem.
In 1967, archaeologists shed new light on the significance of the Southern Wall when they uncovered the ancient staircase leading up to the gate, which was likely used by Jewish pilgrims, including Jesus of Nazareth, in ancient times to enter and exit the <a title="Temple Mount" href="/city/jerusalem/temple-mount/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Temple Mount</a> during holidays such as Passover and Sukkot.
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad tied his horse to the wall before ascending to the Temple Mount for his ascension.
This discovery is considered one of the most important in the Old City, alongside that of the <a title="Western Wall Tunnels" href="/city/jerusalem/western-wall-tunnels/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Western Wall tunnels</a>.

The Southern Wall

Historical Sites in Jerusalem, The Old City

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