123ArticleOnline Logo
Welcome to 123ArticleOnline.com!
ALL >> Travel >> View Article

From City Of Peace To Jerusalem

Profile Picture
By Author: Rachel Banks
Total Articles: 3764
Comment this article
Facebook ShareTwitter ShareGoogle+ ShareTwitter Share

Living in Jerusalem has always been a bit of a gamble. The ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Persians all cast greedy eyes on Jerusalem's wealth. In the seventh century, Moslems invaded the "Holy Land" along with its city sacred to three faiths.

During the Crusades, Jerusalem changed hands often. After the knights of the First Crusade succeeded in breaching Jerusalem's walls, they killed nearly everyone within them, regardless of religion, wiping out as many as 40,000.

Today, the Israeli and Palestinian states covet to parts of the city and Jerusalem's bloody, violent history continues.

Since 1980, Jerusalem has been the base of the Israeli government, although all foreign diplomatic missions are based in Tel Aviv in accordance with a United Nations resolution.

Three major religions live together in Jerusalem, which naturally leads to a multiplicity of opinions. Each religious group is split and subdivided into factions and sects. There are as many as a dozen different Christian splinter groups, the largest of which is the Greek Orthodox community. This diversity of belief should contribute to ...
... Jerusalem's attraction, but, in reality, it too often leads to conflict and bloddshed. The incredible concentration of sacred sites draw visitors, religious or not, from all over the world.

For Jews and Christians alike, Jerusalem is the Holy City and the birth place of their faiths. For Moslems, Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medina. It was the destination of Mohammed's miraculous trip to and from Mecca in a single night. Its Temple Mount is the place from which Mohammed ascended to, and returned from, heaven.

Three architectural styles
The Old City of Jerusalem was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is split into four districts. The Armenian Quarter occupies the south-west, the Christian Quarter, the north-west, the Jewish Quarter, the south-east and the Moslem Quarter, the north-east.

The wall around the Old City was built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century.

Jerusalem's treasures are so many that only a few can be mentioned here. The most visited site is probably the Wailing Wall, a 400-metre-long section of the retaining wall of the terrace on top of the Temple Mount where Herod the Great built his great Jewish temple.

This temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 CE. Important pilgrimage sites for Christians include the Via Dolorosa, the name of the path Christ walked on his way to the crucifixion, and the fourth-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

One of the most grand Islamic monuments is the Dome of the Rock. Erected on the Temple Mount over the place from which the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, the Dome of the Rock is not a mosque. The remarkable Al-Aqsa Congregational Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in the world, is located nearby, also on top of the terrace of the destroyed Jewish temple.

More than a lookout
The Mount of Olives (Hebrew: Har Ha-Zetim) is a famous hill on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. The ridge of hills is within sight of the Old City. The Temple Mount is actually higher than the Mount of Olives, which is just 809 metres above sea level. The Mount of Olives has great significance for all three major religions.

According to the Jewish faith, the Messiah will cross the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem before the Last Judgment takes place in the Kidron Valley. Moslems also believe the Final Judgment will take place there. For Christians, the Mount of Olives is inextricably tied to the life and death of Jesus. Today it plays a more practical role for many tourists, because its observation deck affords a breathtaking view of Old Jerusalem.

Total Views: 119Word Count: 612See All articles From Author

Add Comment

Travel Articles

1. Explore Most Exciting Tour Packages For India
Author: RagRaj

2. Snowy Horizon: Expertly Guided Island Peak, Mera Peak And Lobuche Peak Climbing Adventures
Author: Snowy Horizon

3. Snowy Horizon: Your Trusted Partner For Ama Dablam, Manaslu And Himlung Himal Expeditions
Author: Snowy Horizon

4. Mount Oldonyo Lengai: Climbing Tanzania’s Sacred Volcano
Author: KiliTrips

5. Save Big On Delta Flight Tickets – Enjoy Up To 40% Off
Author: Deltaphonenumbers

6. Heathrow To Southampton Taxi – A Comfortable Ride With Minicabride
Author: minicab

7. Exploring The Best Diving Spots In Cyprus: A Guide For Underwater Enthusiasts
Author: Stephen Theakston

8. A Peaceful Stay: Choosing The Right Lodge Near Dharmasthala Temple For A Fulfilling Pilgrimage
Author: Hotels Dharmasthala

9. Unlock The Best Discounted Business Class Fares This Summer
Author: Buy Business Class

10. Discover Purpose Through Life-changing Mission Trips For Adults
Author: Rick Lee

11. Top Tips For Passing Your Driving Test In Melton
Author: Aintree Driving School

12. Maldives Couple Package From Kochi: A Dreamy Escape With Budget Holidays
Author: catherin

13. Luxury Hotel Booking Agency Fort Lauderdale: Your Gateway To Unmatched Comfort And Elegance
Author: James Neeson

14. Hotels Near Athirappilly Waterfall: Unwind At Athirapilly Greentrees
Author: catherin

15. Hotels In Ernakulam: Experience Comfort And Elegance At Tribute Royale
Author: catherin

Login To Account
Login Email:
Password:
Forgot Password?
New User?
Sign Up Newsletter
Email Address: