Day 5 - Jerusalem
A tour of the Old City fills one with a sense of awe and holiness throughout the seasons. The hustle of the market, prayers at the Western Wall, numerous churches, mosques, and museums make it an unforgettable place that one cannot get enough of.
Jaffa Gate – Jaffa Gate was built by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, along with the rest of the city walls and gates. It is considered one of the most important gates in the wall, serving as the departure point for roads to Jaffa—hence its Hebrew name. In Arabic, it is called Bab el-Khalil, the Hebron Gate, as the roads from it led to Hebron. The Arabic name translates to “The Friend,” referring to Abraham, the friend of Allah. Moving south on the street – Armenian Patriarchate Street, you’ll find the Tower of David, housing an impressive museum. After visiting the Tower of David, continue walking along the street and, after about 50 meters, pass on the right the Kishle building, formerly the Turkish police station, now serving as a police station. Another 150 meters ahead, you’ll see from the left the St. James Armenian Church.
St. James Cathedral – The cathedral is the centerpiece of the Armenian Quarter, one of the four quarters of Jerusalem, alongside the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim quarters. The church is named after Saint James, also known as James the Just, a Jew who was a disciple of Jesus and, according to Christian tradition, was martyred here by King Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD.
Dormition – The Dormition is the largest church with the triangular gray roof and the white bell tower. Dormition translates to dormancy, signifying the Virgin Mary’s falling asleep (death) at this place. The church was built in 1906 by the Germans, who received the site as a gift from the Ottoman Sultan. The church is adorned with mosaics and paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament and Christian history. In the lower floor of the church (the crypt), you can see the place where, according to tradition, Mary fell asleep. The bell tower is designed to resemble a German soldier, with some claiming that, under appropriate lighting, it resembles the profile of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, who had a large mustache and a pointed hat.
David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper – David’s Tomb is a structure traditionally believed to contain the tomb of King David of Israel. Above the tomb, according to Christian tradition, is the room where Jesus held the Last Supper with his disciples during the Passover feast. The Last Supper gets its name because it was the last meal that Jesus had with his 12 disciples before he was tried by the Sanhedrin and crucified by the Romans. In the New Testament, during the Last Supper, Jesus informs his disciples that one of them will betray him.
The Western Wall – The Western Wall is one of the holiest sites in Judaism, being the only remnant of the wall that surrounded the Temple Mount during the Second Temple period. A visit to the Western Wall is filled with grace and holiness, and even the most secular visitors often find it fitting to say a prayer or leave a note in the ancient stones. One of the fascinating sites is the Western Wall Tunnels, which expose the incredible archaeological richness of ancient Jerusalem.
In the afternoon, head to the market street in the Christian Quarter, and then proceed to Jaffa Gate where you started the tour.
Mahane Yehuda Market – Conclude your day at the bustling Mahane Yehuda Market. During the day, it’s a vibrant marketplace selling groceries, spices, and local products. At night, it transforms into a lively entertainment hub with numerous bars and restaurants.
Feel free to adjust the itinerary based on your interests and preferences!