Discovering Jerusalem more elaborately will be the agenda for my future trips. The less tourist-sought-out areas and some of the prime destinations which I still didn’t manage to reach, will be the main attractions. One such under explored region is East Jerusalem which also has some significant religious sites to offer. Most tourists however, prefer the Old City and modern west Jerusalem than trying the eastern half of the city.
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jerusalem was divided into two parts - the western portion, populated primarily by Jews, came under Israel, whereas the eastern portion, populated mainly by Arabs, came under Jordan. Nineteen years later, Israel conquered East Jerusalem area (70 km2), reunited to its capital city and later passed the Jerusalem Law (1980) that states "Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel". The liberation of Jerusalem on that fateful June 7, 1967 is considered by many as a historic event. For Jews, Jerusalem and the Old City back to their hands after waiting 2000 years was nothing short of a divine miracle; whereas for Arabs, loss of their third holiest city was one of the most tragic events in history.
It was my first trip to Jerusalem without a group. Just to summarize the whole trip and schedule: Took 6.30 am, Metropolin 60 from Campus to Beer Sheva –from Beer Sheva, Egged 446 at 7.20 am to Jerusalem Central Bus Station- Egged 1 from Jerusalem at 9.10 am to the Old City. After getting down at Damascus Gate, I went to the Lutheran Church of Redeemer, climbed 177 steps of its bell tower to have a great view of the Old City. Although, I have been to this church earlier, I didn’t find time to visit its bell tower observation point. The best view of course was towards the Temple Mount with that remarkably shining golden dome. I could also trace the silvery dome of the Church of St. John, the oldest church of Jerusalem and the market square called Muristan. I didn’t want to miss the Church of Holy Sepulcher as it was so near the Lutheran Church. Just spending a few minutes inside the church, I went back to the Damascus Gate to see the nearby Roman Plaza excavations and the Zedekiah's Cave. Unfortunately, both were found closed, eventhough it was expected to be open on Friday. I walked a few steps further to see the Herod's Gate of Jerusalem. Being the Ramzan period and a Friday, there was a huge flow of people from East Jerusalem to the Al Aqsa Mosque, which lies inside the Old City. That may be the reason why there was so many road blocks and strong Israeli military and police presence in every corner. Regarding East Jerusalem venues, I walked through the main road called Nablus Street to visit the Garden Tomb, followed by St. George's Cathedral, American Colony Hotel, Tomb of Simon the Just and Monastery of St. Etienne (Basilica of St. Stephen). Do see details and relevance of these sites along with the photographs uploaded. Walking past the New Gate and from the Jaffa Road, I took Egged 18, got down at Central Bus Station. Took Egged 446 at 2.20 pm to Beer Sheva- from Beer Sheva, Metropolin 60 (4.00 pm) to Campus.
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jerusalem was divided into two parts - the western portion, populated primarily by Jews, came under Israel, whereas the eastern portion, populated mainly by Arabs, came under Jordan. Nineteen years later, Israel conquered East Jerusalem area (70 km2), reunited to its capital city and later passed the Jerusalem Law (1980) that states "Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel". The liberation of Jerusalem on that fateful June 7, 1967 is considered by many as a historic event. For Jews, Jerusalem and the Old City back to their hands after waiting 2000 years was nothing short of a divine miracle; whereas for Arabs, loss of their third holiest city was one of the most tragic events in history.
It was my first trip to Jerusalem without a group. Just to summarize the whole trip and schedule: Took 6.30 am, Metropolin 60 from Campus to Beer Sheva –from Beer Sheva, Egged 446 at 7.20 am to Jerusalem Central Bus Station- Egged 1 from Jerusalem at 9.10 am to the Old City. After getting down at Damascus Gate, I went to the Lutheran Church of Redeemer, climbed 177 steps of its bell tower to have a great view of the Old City. Although, I have been to this church earlier, I didn’t find time to visit its bell tower observation point. The best view of course was towards the Temple Mount with that remarkably shining golden dome. I could also trace the silvery dome of the Church of St. John, the oldest church of Jerusalem and the market square called Muristan. I didn’t want to miss the Church of Holy Sepulcher as it was so near the Lutheran Church. Just spending a few minutes inside the church, I went back to the Damascus Gate to see the nearby Roman Plaza excavations and the Zedekiah's Cave. Unfortunately, both were found closed, eventhough it was expected to be open on Friday. I walked a few steps further to see the Herod's Gate of Jerusalem. Being the Ramzan period and a Friday, there was a huge flow of people from East Jerusalem to the Al Aqsa Mosque, which lies inside the Old City. That may be the reason why there was so many road blocks and strong Israeli military and police presence in every corner. Regarding East Jerusalem venues, I walked through the main road called Nablus Street to visit the Garden Tomb, followed by St. George's Cathedral, American Colony Hotel, Tomb of Simon the Just and Monastery of St. Etienne (Basilica of St. Stephen). Do see details and relevance of these sites along with the photographs uploaded. Walking past the New Gate and from the Jaffa Road, I took Egged 18, got down at Central Bus Station. Took Egged 446 at 2.20 pm to Beer Sheva- from Beer Sheva, Metropolin 60 (4.00 pm) to Campus.
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