| What springs to mind when you hear the word | | | | But it is, in fact, one small square kilometre which |
| Jerusalem? Is it ancient stone alleyways brimming | | | | holds incredible importance to so many over the |
| with Jews and Arabs on their way to prayer? Or | | | | world - the area known as the Old City. |
| perhaps a picture postcard vista of the Western | | | | The Old City is home to sites of key religious |
| (Wailing) Wall? Or perhaps the hustle and bustle of | | | | significance, including the Temple Mount, the |
| a Jerusalem market, with market traders howling | | | | Western Wall (a remnant of the supporting wall of |
| out their latest prices and bargains in Hebrew and | | | | the Second Temple), the Church of the Holy |
| Arabic? | | | | Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa |
| What you feel for Jerusalem will, of course, | | | | Mosque. The old walled city, has been traditionally |
| depend on your faith. And however much you | | | | divided into four quarters - the Armenian, |
| might convince yourself that you're a non-believer, | | | | Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters. |
| there's something raw and empowering about | | | | So, of course, we highly recommend you check |
| being in the Holy City that it makes you want to | | | | out the Old City. The places listed above should all |
| start to believe...in whatever. | | | | be visited, though some may be off-limits, |
| Jerusalem is a fascinating city; a city where old | | | | depending a little on your faith and the security |
| meets new, holy meets secular, and where | | | | situation (which very occasionally takes a turn for |
| nature and beautiful architecture merge into a | | | | the worse). Also check out the narrow streets of |
| melting pot of smells, sounds and sights. I will | | | | the Old City, which are lined with shops where |
| never forget my first visit to Jerusalem and the | | | | merchants sell foodstuffs and traditional |
| Old City, many moons ago, it was amazingly | | | | handicrafts (TIP: bargain ferociously - what starts |
| inspiring! | | | | at 50 shekels can often be bought for 5 shekels!). |
| Jerusalem is, of course, the meeting point of the | | | | And yes, although the Old City, Jerusalem makes |
| three main faiths: for centuries, Jerusalem has | | | | this Holy City an absolute must see on your trip |
| played a significant role in Christianity as the place | | | | to Israel, there is more beyond that old walled |
| of Christ's crucifixion, while for Jews Jerusalem is | | | | city...you really should check out the following: |
| the place of David's throne, and the capital of | | | | - Yad Vashem: The Holocaust Museum |
| modern Israel. To Moslems the city is a sacred | | | | - The Knesset: The Israeli government buildings |
| place of worship, centred on the Dome of the | | | | - Israel Museum: The national collection of art |
| Rock. | | | | - Ben Yehuda Promenade: A street full of life, |
| Located in the Judean Mountains, just north of the | | | | shops and tourists |
| Dead Sea, Jerusalem is home to some 750,000 | | | | - Machane Yehuda : A slice of Middle Eastern life in |
| residents (including the disputed East Jerusalem). | | | | one of the best shuks (markets) in Israel. |