Contents:
- Jerusalem - what is this city?
- Mosque Al-Sakhra Kubbat
- The majestic Kotel
- Way of the Cross of Christ
- The gates of the holy city
In the northern part of the Dead Sea salt and amazing blue Mediterranean coast, in the mountains of Judah is attraction of the world - the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was founded more than five thousand years ago and now is Israel's capital and political center of the country.
This amazing city is considered one of the most important in the world, its historical heritage, religious and a large number of well-known attractions attract many tourists every year. The special atmosphere permeates every stone of Jerusalem, at any time of the year people enjoy visiting the old town, come to pray to the Western Wall, visiting all the eight gates of the city and come to the Temple Mount.
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Jerusalem - what is this city?
Jerusalem many consider the holy city, the adherents of different religions perceive it to its native, so it integrates and Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
In addition, the capital is the residence of different ethnic groups such as Arabs and Armenians, but most were Jews, of which more than 30% of the ultra-Orthodox. This should be considered when visiting Israel in order not to find yourself the trouble and the inhabitants of Jerusalem not to offend the morals and traditions of world landmarks.
The old town is divided into four quarters: Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Armenian - of which the first area is considered the most expensive in terms of housing and the least secure. There is an opinion, and many agree with him that this city is located in the center of the world, and the Old City of Jerusalem, it is the heart. Its area is small, it is only about 1 square. km, and it alone - another attraction that can not manage to inspect and peruse even a few years. The new part, which is the rest of Jerusalem, took its start in 1860, its construction began in the west of the Jewish suburbs. The new city continues to grow, and now it is home to more than 780 thousand people.
For the study visits the capital of Israel is available at any time of the year, and comfortable warm weather persists and winter. In summer, the temperature is kept around + 28 ° C, while in winter rarely drop below + 7 ° C. In the city a lot of hotels, boarding houses, hotels, hostels and guest houses, each of which has its own merits and variation in prices will select the most suitable option. Travel agencies offer tours to travelers on any budget, for any age group, based on the wishes visit a tourist attraction.
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Mosque Al-Sakhra Kubbat
This mosque tourists know as the Dome of the Rock, it is the main attraction of Jerusalem. Its huge golden dome with a diameter of 20 meters, can see every resident and visitor from anywhere in the Old City. It was built on top of the Temple Mount, which in ancient times was called Mount Moriah. Now this mosque - architectural attractions, historical sites and heritage of the whole of Israel. Dome of the Rock was built a long time ago, back in the 7th century BC Homir Abu il-Malik ordered the creation of the building.
Awesome appearance will not leave anyone indifferent. Mosque captured in his power the Christians, the Muslims, it was destroyed, burned, she suffered from earthquakes, but each restoration used all the best craftsmen and materials, and it is even more greatness. In the construction used the number 4. It symbolized the four cardinal directions, so Dome of the Rock has 4 doors, oriented to the south, north, east and west.
Attraction is surrounded by a terrace, each side of which lead to the light level. Decorated with mosaic tiled walls and towering over the city, they met in the blue-green-white-gold tones, but inside the building is possible to contemplate the gold letters on the wall which was moved Quran. Among the numerous columns of the main mosque in Jerusalem, in the center of the Dome, is a holy site from which, according to legend, and ascended the Prophet Muhammad. It rises above the marble floor of 2 meters, it is surrounded by a balustrade made of wood, so it seems that it hovers in the air.
Most of the tourists have to admire the sight in the distance. This mosque is open only to "true", as it is the most important Muslim shrine. It is believed that one night, the angel Gabriel to Muhammad sat winged horse and carried him from Mecca to Jerusalem. There prophet allowed to ascend to God, trusting Him all Muslim precepts, and on land, Kubat al-Sakhra, left three hairs from the beard of the Prophet, and the imprint of his foot that are stored in the dome.
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The majestic Kotel
The length of the walls is 488 meters. It rises 15 meters and another part of it is hidden under the ground. The construction of it was made of huge stone blocks, hewn in advance, every stone tightly to the others, each new number put into the shoulder. It banked wall, but helped her to stand for a long time without a bonding agent. Wailing Wall - famous landmark of the Jewish people. It is believed that all the Jews, when they pray, look at Israel living in Israel - in the direction of Jerusalem, and the Jews of Jerusalem in prayer looking toward the wall.
This became known as the Wailing Wall because Jews mourn their First Temple and Second Temple here. Both were destroyed in different years, but in one calendar day. Even the prophet Jeremiah foretold the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and that the wall will be one of them. Now it is a treasure and a sacred place of Jews, thousands of people come here every day, all year round and all over the world. Here you can meet and Jews from around the world, and of Israelis and tourists. People pray for the revival of the power of Israel, they write little notes with requests for God and put them between stones. Request can be about anything: health, healing, love, wealth, and even world peace.
But you can only go in appropriate attire: women must cover shoulders and be dressed modestly, without sparkles, variegation and numerous decorations, and married women should cover her head with a handkerchief at the time of prayer. Men should be wearing hats. At the Wailing Wall a man should stand on the left side, and women - to the right. Anytime recovery facilities, hear a variety of languages, people of all ages asking for something else. It is worth remembering also that the entrance is free for all, and on Saturdays and Jewish holidays in the territory is forbidden to smoke, use mobile phones and take pictures.
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Way of the Cross of Christ
Via Dolorosa, also known as the road of sorrow - is the way in which Jesus Christ walked from the place where he was sentenced to Calvary. It is estimated that 14 times some events stopped the procession, and these places are now built the chapel or church. Home road takes from the former tower Antonia, where now stands the Catholic Women's Monastery. Previously, there was a residence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator, sentenced Jesus to death. In the courtyard of the monastery has two chapels, the Flagellation and Condemnation. First erected in place of pronouncing the sentence, and the second is the next point on the route. According to legend, in this place the saint underwent scourging, he dressed in a purple shroud and crown of thorns.
The third stop - this is the first fall of Jesus, the fourth - a meeting place of the holy with his mother the Virgin Mary. Traditionally, it has overtaken all march to see his son. The sixth station is associated with a meeting with Veronica, who came out of the crowd and dabbed his face with a handkerchief wet cool. In the seventh paragraph, Jesus fell the second time, having stumbled on the threshold of Judgment Gate, leaving the city. The eighth stop on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem memorable appeal to the daughters of the holy city. Nine points - a place where the condemned fell again, and the third, after seeing Calvary. The remaining five stations are already inside the Holy Sepulchre and go in this order: remove clothing, nailed to a cross, dying on the Cross Descent from the Cross, Entombment.
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The gates of the holy city
The sight of Jerusalem has always been and 8 gates surrounding the old part of town. The most beautiful, richly decorated and notable of them - Damascus, which leads to the Muslim Quarter. They also referred to the colonies, because of one of the columns to measure the distance from the capital of Israel to any other city. Lions Gate decorated with lions of heraldry, through them, Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and with them begins the Via Dolorosa. Most small gate leading into the Muslim Quarter, are the dung gate, which had previously been the usual opening in the wall.
Jaffa Gate the most famous, as almost all the tourists are beginning to have their acquaintance with each landmark. The gates of King David standing next to Mount Zion and the tomb of King David. Flower Gate decorated with ornaments of flowers, also known as the gate of Herod Antipas, whose house was nearby. Gates Hamid relatively new and have been built to reduce the crowds of pilgrims that marched to the Holy Sepulcher. Golden Gate was walled up by the Turks for a long time. The Jews believed that through them would come the new Messiah, but enemies to block his path.
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