Published on February 07, 2017 by IBMT
Jerusalem is a magical city, deemed by many religions, the spiritual center of the world. Originally built by King David in 1004 BCE, Jerusalem is important to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It is home to some of the religions holiest sites. The Temple Mount is important to all three religious groups, and is one of many unique historical attractions of Israel.
The Old City in Jerusalem is home to many of these historic sites. The tomb of Jerusalem’s first leader, King David, lies on Mount Zion and is visited everyday by tourists and citizens; also on Mount Zion is the historic room of the Last Supper. The Tower of David, a major attraction and host of an incredible light performance, was built in 24 BC by King Herod to protect his palace. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is considered one of Christianity’s most sacred spots, is also around till this day, allowing tourists to stand in the spot where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. The Old City of Jerusalem’s walls, date back to the Ottoman period and still remain, offering you entrance into the historical masterpieces they enclose.
The Temple Mount is of particular significance; it is where Abraham sacrificed Yitzchak to God and where Muhammed ascended to heaven. The Western Wall of the Temple, which surrounds the Temple Mount plaza and is commonly called the Kotel, survives from Jerusalem’s Second Temple, and is thought to have been built by Herod in 19 BCE. You can see the inside of the Temple Mount by taking a tour through the Western Wall tunnels, a journey into the past, where you are sure to see evidence of the legends you have been told. The Kotel is where Jews come to observe history, pray, and bring notes of wishes and gratitude to God.
History can be found as well in the Davidson Center, a center of the Umayyad palace in Jerusalem which keeps various artifacts from the Second Temple Period. Even where authentic historical artifacts are not available, the New City of Jerusalem is rich with museums — from Yad Vashem, the world-renowned Holocaust memorial, to the Israel Museum. A cultural museum of Israel’s history that houses the original Dead Sea Scrolls, Jerusalem can always be relied on to tell a story.
Clearly, Jerusalem is packed with must-see sites of history and adventure. But the best part of a trip to Jerusalem is that you don’t have to worry about organizing and planning alone — IBMT Tours is here to do all the work for you! IBMT representative visit all destinations annually to ensure top quality. You don’t have to lift a finger in the planning or organizing process. An IBMT trip is truly the trip of a lifetime, and Jerusalem is a destination you do not want to miss. If you have additional questions or would like to sign up for a trip, you can contact us by phone at 1(877) 977-4268 or send us an email info@ibmttours.com.
