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Places To Visit In Salem
Church of Holy Sepulchre
This church is built on a site considered by Christians to be the place of crucification and resurrection of Christ.
In the Christian quarter of the city, this church is probably one of the holiest for devout followers of Christianity. Pilgrims from all over the world cross boundaries to offer their prayers. The church was built by the Emperor of Constantine and after being destroyed twice, was restored by the Crusaders.
Just near the entrance is the Stone of Unction, the place where Christ's body was prepared before burial, while the tomb itself is inside one of the rooms.
The Church walls, though not the best of architecture you will see in Jerusalem, emanates a certain sanctity.
It is advisable to dress modestly here - shoulders, back and legs covered.
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City of David
Birthplace of the city of Jerusalem where King David established his kingdom.
Situated outside the Old City's Dung Gates (Sha'ar Ashpot), is the City of David, the remains of a once majestic citadel ruled by Judean kings.
Begin with the visitor centre where you can watch a 15 minute film telling the story of the city and gather information about the various sites and guided tours.
The highlight of this place is the Hezekiah's Tunnel which was the aquaduct from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam and known to have supplied water to the palace.
The descent to the tunnel begins from the Warren Shaft and you can traverse the entire length of the tunnel, wading through water. Make sure you carry water proof shoes, comfortable clothes and a torch, because the wade is definitely worth it.
The tunnel opens out to the Pool of Siloum where Christ is known to have miraculously restored the vision of a blind man.
This will be a magnificent historically enriching tour.
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Dead Sea Tour
A one day day trip from Tel Aviv.
The Dead Sea, located South East of Jerusalem is the lowest point on the earth's surface. The excessive salt lets you float on the water efortlessly. No living creature can survive in such concentration of salt, so you can be assured there will be no shark attacks even in the middle of the sea!
Indulge in a natural therapeutic treatment as you cover yourself with the Dead Sea mud, known to be rich in minerals.
On your way back, you can stop at the Qumran cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered or the Masada. An archaelogical site that is home to the remnants of a Sicarii settlement.
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Dome of the Rock
The magnificent golden Dome of Rock is built on the Temple Mount, situated in the Noble Sanctuary area in the Old City. It is Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Madinah. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the Dome of Rock.
At the heart of the building lies the Foundation Stone, where the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven, according to Islamic tradition. While the Jews believe that it was here that Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son. This monument is a reflection of Byzantine architecture. The gold coating of the dome is known to have been recently restored by JordanÍs King Hussein II, who had to sell his house in London to accumulate the funds! Entrance is only through the gate near the Western Wall, while you can use the eight other gates for exit. Security checks here are quite rigid and be sure to be modestly dressed.
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Israel Museum
Regarded as one of the top ten museums in the world, this site demands a must visit.
The museum has an impressive art collection and incredible antiques. It is a short walk north of the Old City's Jaffa Gate.
The Shrine of the Book building displays Israel's portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls (the rest of the scrolls are displayed in Amman's Citadel Hill Museum, Jordan) which were unearthed in the 1940s in a Judean desert cave, overlooking the Dead Sea.
The Jewish Art and Life wing houses an alluring display of Jewish art and representations of Jewish life. One of the prized exhibits are the reconstructed Synanagogues from different parts of the world.
The Archaelogical wing showcases the most extensive collection of biblical and Holy Land archaelogy in the world, organised chronologically.
The Art Wing boasts of artwork by several Israeli painters, as well as works of Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Cezanne.
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Mount of Olives
Named after the olive groves that once thrived on its slopes, Mount of Olive has been Jerusalem's primary burial ground.
A 20 minute walk east of the Old City, Mount of Olives is now known from the panoramic view of the city it has to offer. Ideally make the ascent before sunrise or sunset, to watch the skies being bathed in crimson hues.
The western slopes are splayed with gravestones, inlcuding those of notable biblical figures, such as Zechariah and Absalom. The gold Dome of Rock, and the black-domed al-Aqsa Mosque to the left of it paint the skyline; but look behind them for the large gray dome of the Holy Sepulcher.
According to Christian beliefs, Christ was known to have walked the slopes of Mount of Olives, last.
The Dome of the Ascension and Garden of Gethsemane are few sights you can visit here.
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Ramparts Walk
A walk atop the Old City walls.
Beginning at the Jaffa Gate this walk is not only a sublime bird's eye view of the intriguing city but also an interesting perspective into it. While the domes and spires rival each other for the skyline, Mt. Zion rises regal and mighty to the south, the bustling East Jerusalem will be to your north.
The walk is divided into two parts - the northern walk descends at New, Damascus, Herod's or Lion's Gate and is the relatively longer one; the southern walk descends at the Zion gate.
Comfortable shoes and lots of water is a must.
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Tower of David
Built on the ruins of the fortifications once made by King David, this Museum is very integral in mapping the history of Jerusalem.
A vist to this museum first before any other places of attraction, will prove extremely informative in terms of Jerusalem's history and architecture. Known locally as the Citadel, the Museum tells its story through maps, holograms, videos and models. The galleries around the Citadel's courtyard are arranged chronologically.
The big tower in particular renders a stunning view of the city, in addition to the ramparts.
The "Night Spectacular" is a light and sound show in the Citadel's courtyard for adults and children alike.
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Western Wall
The Wailing Wall or the Kotelis is one of the most reverred religious sites of Judaism faith.
It is the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, where the First and Second Temples once stood. The Wall got its name because many Jews would come here to mourn and lament the destruction of the Temple.
Millions of pilgrims nowadays, both Jewish and non-Jewish visit this place to pray and write their wishes on paper and place it in between the cracks of the 2000 year old Herodian stones.
Serving as an open-air Synagogue, it is divided into two separate sections for men and women to pray.
Different styles of stonework composes the wall, a reflection of the different eras they were constructed in.
The underground section of the Wall, is accessible through a network of complex tunnels.
Only when the crowds have dispersed towards late evening, is the spirituality of the Wall truly palpable.
Modest dressing is a must and men should cover their heads.
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Yad Vashem
The annihilation of some 6 million Jews is severely etched in the Jewish national psyche. It is said that there is no museum so riveting and so moving.
The Yad Vashem was built in 1953 as a commemoration to those millions of Jewish lives which were lost to Nazi perpetrators. Located at the foot of Mount Herzi, in West Jerusalem, the name Yad Vashem means a 'memorial and a name' sourced from the biblical book of Isaiah. The 45 acre campus comprises museums, monuments, memorials, gardens and sculptures, archives, research and education centers. The Holocaust History Museum documents Jewish life before the catastrophe, the Children's Memorial is dedicated to the numerous Jewish children mercilessly massacred by the Nazis, while the Avenue of the Righteous is an ode to the Gentiles who risked their lives for the Jews and the Hall of Remambrance names the concentration camps.
The Holocaust is no unknown fact and the visit to Yad Vashem will make you gauge the gravity of the incident more so.
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