Hidden Gems In Jerusalem - 9 Amazing Unknown Sites

Jerusalem can be described as a city, which combines history, culture, and spirituality. It attracts millions of visitors annually, from world-famous locations such as the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. But, at the same time, Jerusalem has many secrets that are well-known to any tourist only in shroud. 

1. Zedekiah’s Cave

Zedekiah’s Cave is an enormous, natural limestone cave that stretches for over 200 meters and is situated beneath the Muslim Quarter. The quarry is also referred to as Solomon’s Quarries and it is believed that it supplied stone for the construction of the first and second temples. Stroll through it along its vast corridors and you get a glimpse of where early craftsmen of the trade used to work.

2. St Peter in Gallicantu

This church is rather small and was built in the Middle Ages; it is named Koimesis tis Theotokou, meaning ‘Peter the Cockerel’ in Greek; there are incredible views of the Old City from the church. It also marks the place where Peter spurned Jesus and swore to have nothing to do with him thrice before the cock crowed. The church also presents the authentic stone steps which are believed to have shown the way to the lower house and the dungeons from the house of Caiaphas. Head down a flight of steps to see some of the earliest archeological remains of Jerusalem.

3. Nea Church

There, off the beaten track, up the quaint cobblestone streets, one finds the oldest existing ancient church in Jerusalem and one of the oldest churches in the world. Consecrated in 543 AD, this Byzantine church glows with astonishing mosaics recounting Biblical stories in brilliant tones and with keen narrative clarity.

4. The Church of St John the Baptist

Almost hidden from the eye of the common passer-by is an Armenian church near the Damascus Gate built on the birthplace of John the Baptist. Looking up, one can see a small for-shore chapel located on the top of the cliff. To enter the cave-like room where John was reputedly born you have to climb a very small spiral staircase winding round the wall. Get a view of the niche that contains a small pool of water where Jesus was baptized.

5. Jerusalem Bird Observatory

Along the road, as you leave town, there lies a lesser-known nature reserve in Jerusalem named the Jerusalem Bird Observatory at Manahat. Sitting on one of the most crucial migratory flyways of birds in the entire globe, half a million birds transit through the park in spring and autumn to connect Europe, Asia, and Africa. Rise early and take a stroll along its pathways, spying by telescope over meadow and tree.

6. Herodium National Park

Take a car and get to the site located 20 minutes’ drive south of Bethlehem to explore the desert royal fortress which King Herod constructed in 23-15 BC. Take a cabin to the higher ground before hiking to the peak to enjoy the breathtaking view of the vast Palestinian terrain. Herod’s tomb is also interesting, which was opened to tourists in 2007 and is located below the ground.

7. Ramat Rachel Archaeological Site

Just 30 30-minute drive from the downtown area, there is this not-so-crowded spot. Ramat Rachel was initially inhabited in the eighth century BCE and had benefited from being the Assyrian regional headquarters. Visit its archaeological sites and watch the palace converted into a Judean fortress to resist Babylonia’s invasion. Overlooking from a hilltop in readiness to observe Bethlehem below.

8. San Simon Monastery

The most fascinating place that you will hardly believe exists in Jerusalem is the Ethiopian Monastery which is located in the Nachlaot district of the city and reachable only by ladder it is situated on a small roof. Tour the grounds and interact with the monks, marvel at the splendid frescoes and the elaborate wooden beams adorned with carvings. Now this looks like an ideal place to be, for a perfect couple or just two great friends as you cannot get any closer than this! They will give you Ethiopian coffee which is aromatic in a small, calm, lighted candle-lit room.

9. Museum for Islamic Art

If you take a walk off a small alley near the Maghreb Gate, you get to unseen treasure that most tourists don’t even get a glance at – a museum packed with more than 5000 priceless masterpieces of pure Islamic art.

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