A Tour in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem Tour Routes and Entertainment Ideas

Itinerary type: Independent   |   Itinerary type: Hike   |   Itinerary duration: About- 7 Hours   |   Itinerary level: Easy   |   Best Season: All Seasons
In shorcut...
A Tour in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, which was inhabited by the Jews already in the 8th century BCE. The tour offers many sacred and historic sites which shed light on Jewish life in the past and until today.
Itinerary properties:   ●  Families   ●   Non-circular tour
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On top of Mount Zion in Jerusalem is found a somewhat different Holocaust Museum, especially due to the fact that this is an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Museum. The Chamber of the Holocaust was founded already in 1948 as a memorial for the Jewish communities that were erased by the Nazis and has become a museum a short while after. The Chamber of the Holocaust Museum includes ten exhibition halls and a courtyard. Next to the monuments and numerous memorial planks are exhibited items that were found at the Jewish Ghettos, among which are: handwritten prayer books, shoes and parchment purses, prisoners’ uniforms, a model of a crematorium in which the Nazis burned the Jews, a blood stained Bible and more. Next to these are inscribed on the walls of the Chamber of the Holocaust Museum verses from the Bible and segments of prayers. The exhibition at the Chamber of the Holocaust Museum does require some preservation and upgrading, but this is a fascinating site, especially due to its religious Ultra-Orthodox orientation.
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King David's Tomb, which is located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, is a surprising site. Not just because of its appearance or the holiness that accompanies it, but because of the fact that many in Israel are not even aware of the fact that there is such a place called King David's Tomb. Here, not far from the Southern Wall of the Holy City, is buried King David, according to Jewish, Christian and Muslim belief. Even more than that, according to Christian belief, it was on the second floor of this structure that the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples took place before Jesus’ death. It is always interesting to visit here in this modest stone structure with its arched ceilings, but it is especially so during the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot, when many come to visit here based on the belief that it was on that day that King David passed away.
Arrival at King David's Tomb: King David's Tomb is located on Mount Zion, between the Church of Dormition and the Chamber of the Holocaust Museum.

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The Zion Gate (Sha'ar Zion) serves the people who come to the Jewish Quarter. It got its name from the nearby Mount Zion and along the years written evidence was found to the fact that it was already named thus in the beginning of the 13th century (in Arabic it is called "David Gate", due to its closeness to King David’s burial place). Much like other gates that are set into the Old City’s wall, in the midst of the Zion Gate there is a 90 degrees turn to make it difficult for potential enemies to pass thorough it quickly. In the wall which stands near the gate can be seen bullet marks from the time of the Israeli War of Independence. The Zion Gate creates a convenient access to the Western Wall, as well as to the Armenian Quarter. Near the Zion Gate, outside the wall, is found the Davidson Center Archeological Park.

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After years of renovation and reconstruction works, the "HurvaSynagogue stands in all of its magnificence at the center of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history starts in the beginning of the 18th century, when Rabbi Yehudah HeHasid arrived at Jerusalem at the head of a group of Ashkenazi Jews. At the courtyard of this place they planned to build a synagogue, but their Muslim creditors chased them away, and ever since it was called the "Hurva” (the Ruin). The "Hurva” Synagogue was rebuilt in the mid 19th century and according to testimonials it was magnificent. At the time of the conquest of the area during the Israeli War of Independence the "Hurva” Synagogue was demolished again. In the spring of 2010, a historical justice was done here and the "Hurva” Synagogue was rebuilt for the third time. The remains of the previous structure were integrated into the new one and the interior of the "Hurva” Synagogue was reconstructed with the help of written testimonials and old photographs. Also were reconstructed the magnificent wall paintings which describe places such as Rachel’s Tomb, the Cave of the Patriarchs, Tiberias and Safed.
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"Cardo” in Latin means primary road. The Cardo of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem was a main road already in Roman times. It is defined as a market but it is still a very well-kept and aesthetic area, which is located between Chabad and HaYehudim (The Jews) Streets. It attracts mainly tourists, but Israelis also find it interesting due to the artwork, cosmetics and Judaica items that are sold in the shops here. And everything is well integrated with the remains of its Roman past: high marble pillars, Roman pavement and more. Alongside these are presented a copy of the ancient Madaba Map and a model of the Jewish Temple’s Menorah.
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There is no doubt that the most beautiful views in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem are seen from the roof of the Aish HaTorah Center, the purpose of which is the return to religion and the spreading of Judaism. For a small fee you can enjoy a magnificent full panoramic view of the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, the Christian and Muslim Quarters and the excavations at the Archeological Park. On the roof of Aish HaTorah Center one can also find a model of the Jewish Temple that is composed of designed parts made out of Hebron Marble, white Jerusalemite stone and wood. The model weighs more than a ton and its measurements are 3 by 1.40 meters. The building of Aish HaTorah Center is very impressive in its beauty itself, and on the ground level you will be greeted by a lovely entrance hall which features a magnificent chandelier by the glass artist Dale Chihuly.
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Behind its well-kept look and the surprisingly new appearance of parts of it, hides the fact that the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem was inhabited already in the 8th century BCE. The Old City’s Jewish Quarter was surrounded by a wall in the year of 701 BCE due to the fear of an Assyrian invasion and during the time of the reign of King Herod the Jewish wealthy citizens lived in it. In the year of 70 CE, at the time of the destruction of the Jewish Temple, the Jewish Quarter was destroyed as well. A hint of the Jewish Quarter’s glory days is provided by the Cardo- the main Roman road which passed through the Jewish Quarter from north to south. Its outline was discovered during archeological excavations which took place after the Six Days War and it is apparent that it served as a pretty impressive commerce center. The Jewish Quarter, which is located in the south-east of the Old City of Jerusalem, includes the most prominent of all Jewish symbols: the Western Wall. Besides its residential structures, the Jewish Quarter features archeological sites, religious structures and Judaica and souvenirs shops.
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The Katros House, or the Burnt House, is a typical residential structure from the time of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed in the great fire that swept through vast areas of Jerusalem during the Great Revolt (70 CE). The Katros House or Burnt House was rediscovered in 1970 during an archeological excavation which took place here. The Katros House is located in an area which was considered one of the wealthiest in Jerusalem at that time and it is situated under today’s street level at the depth of more than 5 meters. The Katros House had a ground floor and an upper floor, as well as a courtyard and a Mikveh (a Jewish ritual bath). Coins, various tools, parts of glassware and a stone weight were fond here. On the stone weight is etched the name "Katros”, the name of a local priests family. And of course, one can also see well here the signs of the fire on the stones of the house, a silent testimony to the tragedy which formed the character of the Jewish People. The Katros House, or Burnt House, serves today as a museum and presents a film which tells the story of the house and of the family that lived in it.

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In the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem, where once lived the wealthiest of the people at the time of the Second Jewish Temple, is the Siebenberg House, which serves as a small and fascinating Archaeological Museum. At the excavation site, which is situated under the house, Theo Siebenberg, the owner of the house, has excavated throughout many years numerous finds from the time of the First Jewish Temple, the Second Jewish Temple and the Byzantine period. The museum, house and excavation site are impressively and interestingly intertwined, in a way which makes past and present merge together and create a unique and very special experience. Among the things which were discovered at the Siebenberg House and are presented to the pubic, are a decorated Byzantine water cistern, Mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths), glassware and cosmetics receptacles, which testify to the wealth of these ancient residents. 

 
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The Davidson Center in Jerusalem, an integral part of the Archeological Park, provides a very special historic experience which includes advanced technological means. The innovative Davidson Center aims at helping its visitors to experience the city’s history in a fun and friendly manner. The Davidson Center includes a few well-lit galleries, which walking around them simulates a gradual and charming journey through time. And everything is filled with finds from the past, models of structures, a virtual interactive model of the Temple Mount from the time of the Second Jewish Temple, which is considered to be one of the more sophisticated of its kind, and more. One can also find at the Davidson Center films about the history of the archeological excavations in this multi-layered city. Of course, if you are already here, do not miss out on a walk outside around the lovely Archeological Park which is located near the southern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem.

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