Israel Information
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
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 Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:11 am Post subject: ISRAEL TOURISM GUIDE/ TOURISM IN ISRAEL |
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ISRAEL TOURISM GUIDE
For Christians, Jews and Muslims, Jerusalem is one of the most revered cities on earth. Attractions range from religious emblems and relics of antiquity to modern items of interest. For centuries, Jerusalem's Old City, framed by massive stone turreted walls, has comprised four distinct neighbourhoods, known as the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian Quarters (website: www.jerusalem.muni.il/english).
• See the eight gates piercing Jerusalem's Old City walls, with the Jaffa Gate being the most trafficked entry.
• In the Armenian quarter, discover the majestic St James Cathedral.
• In the Jewish quarter, do not miss the Herodian Quarter/Wohl Archaeological Museum. This recent excavation unearthed a 9000 sq m (30,000 sq ft) area, formerly the exclusive residential community from the Second Temple period, two thousand years ago. Six villas and one mansion can be toured, each with a ritual bath decorated in ceramic tiles and collections of household antiquities on display.
• Walk down the Street of the Chain and come to the world's holiest Jewish site, The Western Wall. The Wall, 20.2m (67ft) high and 27.7m (91ft) long, is a place symbolic of strength and ritual and is a must see for every visitor to Israel. Once called the Wailing Wall because of tearful worshipers, a constant flow of people and commotion can always be found here. Write a prayer and place it into the cracks between the giant yellow stones worn smooth from years of caresses.
• Climb the pathway to the right of The Western Wall and enter The Temple Mount. Existing as a place of worship since the tenth century BC, when Solomon built the First Temple there, this is a site holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
• Be inspired by the Dome of the Rock, an octagonal mosque built on the remains of The Great Temple of the Jews. This landmark, with its gilded dome and vibrant blue tiles, is the holiest Islamic place of worship in Israel, and a major photo opportunity.
• Near The Lions Gate, also known as St Stephen's Gate, is the peaceful garden setting of the Pools of Bethesda and St Anne's Church, traditionally known as the birthplace of Mary. The pools at one time appeared to have been almost 9m (30ft) deep and are sites of healing described by John in the New Testament. St Anne's is the best preserved Crusader built church in all of Israel.
• Veer off the Via Dolorosa and enter the Church of The Holy Sepulchre, a centre of Christian worship in Jerusalem. Though it is impossible to see the many domes of the church from the street, they are stunning viewed from inside. The recently restored great dome beams glorious paths of sun rays through stained glass windows drenching the formerly gloomy interior with light.
• See the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
• Pay tribute to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem's memorial.
• Go on a religious tour from West Jerusalem to Mount Zion and the Tomb of David.
• Discover Jaffa's archaeological finds reaching back to the third century BC.
• In Galilee and the North, places of interest are Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee) itself, Nazareth (especially the Church of the Annunciation), the Bet She’arim Catacombs, Megiddo, Tiberias and the Mount of Beatitudes. The Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology celebrates many finds in the region.
• See the ancient fortress of Haifa, Israel’s leading seaport.
• South from Haifa, visit the artists’ colony of En Hod and the Roman ruins at Caesarea.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of the Dead Sea and the pink mountains of Moab from the once luxurious Palace of King Herod, perched on a clifftop in Masada (Mezada). It can be reached by cable car or a winding footpath.
• Other interesting sights around the Dead Sea include Mount Sodom, a 13km- (8 mile-) long mountain range made up of pure salt which has many caves with extraordinary hanging salt formations, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls, written by Essene scribes, were discovered in ancient pottery jars in 1947. Excavations at the site found more than 900 pieces of scrolls in more than 30 caves.
The Palestine National Authority Region
• Do not miss Bethlehem, most famous for being the birthplace of Christ. A major attraction is the Church of the Nativity at the Manger Square, built over the cave where Jesus was born. The city is also well known for olive woodcarving and mother-of-pearl jewellery, which, today, has developed into a modern industry.
• One of the prime sites of interest in the region for historians and visitors alike is the ancient town of Jericho, which dates back more than 10,000 years and lies 260m (853ft) below sea level, 36km (22.5 miles) east of Jerusalem. Known as the ‘City of Palms’, Jericho is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites. The walls and towers of Jericho are 4000 years older than the pyramids of Egypt. Excavations at Tel al-Sultan ruins show Jericho settlements as early as 10000BC. Visit the Monastery of St George, Wadi Qelt, Nabi Musa, the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days and nights fasting and meditating and where a monastery was later built, the Sycamore Tree and Hisham's Palace.
• The city of Hebron lies in the mountainous region south of Jerusalem, at an altitude of 1000m (3280ft). Hebron is an unspoiled town, with many narrow and winding streets, flat-roofed stone houses and old bazaars, where pottery, glassware and other inventive arts can be found. Hebron is the burial place of Abraham, Al-Khalil. The Abraham Mosque which houses the tombs of the Patriarchs dominates the city centre.
• Be enthralled with the Roman Theatre near the heart of the city of Nablus, the major commercial, industrial and agricultural centre in the northern West Bank. Other archaeological sites in various stages of excavation can be seen here.
• Gaza, located on the western Mediterranean coast, 32km (22.4 miles) north of the Egyptian border is a long-established economic regional centre for trade in citrus fruits and other goods. Gaza is also known for its archaeological resources. See splendid mosaics in the Byzantine ruins and tombs recently excavated in the northern part of Gaza. Other interesting sites include: the Great Omari Mosque, Napoleon's Fort and the Sayyed Hashem Mosque. |
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