A Jewish heritage tour of Jerusalem's Old City
The Old City of Jerusalem overflows with historical significance for the Jewish people, with many of the relevant ancient landmarks still visible today. Here is where Abraham bound Isaac and Jacob rested his head on a stone.
The Old City of Jerusalem overflows with historical significance for the Jewish people, with many of the relevant ancient landmarks still visible today. Here is where Abraham bound Isaac and Jacob rested his head on a stone. Here sat the Holy Temples of Solomon, Zachariah, the Hasmoneans and Herod. Here the Cohen Gadol emerged from his ritual bath to perform the Yom Kippur rites, later leading two goats to the edge of the hill. Here is where pilgrims from across the land would ascend, lining up with offerings. And towards here the thrice daily prayers of devout Jews have been directed for thousands of years.
In and around Jaffa Gate
For a comprehensive Jewish heritage tour of Jerusalem's Old City, enter in Jaffa Gate, named for its road to the port city where Jonah embarked. Inside the gate is the iconic citadel of the Tower of David Museum, where the permanent collection tells the story of Jerusalem's entire history.
Follow the walls of the Old City around from the inside to Zion Gate, which faces the tomb of King David on Mount Zion. Inside Zion Gate in the Jewish Quarter are the Four Sephardic Synagogues, a few blocks away from compelling Second Temple-era excavations at the Burnt House and First Temple-era artifacts at the Ariel Center.
In and around the Jewish Quarter's main square
While approaching the Jewish Quarter's main square, stop at the main commercial thoroughfare of Herod's Jerusalem that is the Cardo. At the Old Yishuv Court Museum, learn about the Old City's Jewish communities that thrived under Ottoman and British rule before being driven out by the Jordanians in 1948.
The recently rebuilt Hurva Synagogue, originally built in 1700, is relatively close to the Broad Wall, a small section of what once encircled the city in the times of the First Temple.
In and around the Western Wall plaza
From the stairs down towards the Western Wall plaza, the peak of the Temple Mount can be observed, while below the wall itself are tunnels revealing the staggering depth and length of the in-tact ancient structure that once served as a platform for Herod's Temple.
Designed by the acclaimed Jeremy Langford, the 150 tons of gleaming green glass art at the adjacent Chain of Generations Center, as a tribute to Judaism's 3000-year-old relationship with Jerusalem.
Between the Western Wall area and the Dung Gate is the Jerusalem Archeological Park, where Second Temple structures like the Southern Wall access stairs and the remains of Robinson's Arch still stand.
For professionally guided tours of Jewish landmarks in Jerusalem's Old City, GoJerusalem.com offers several booking options with instant confirmation, including the Jerusalem Jewish Heritage Tour, the Jewish Experience Half Day Tour, a Customized Tour for niche interests and the Luxury Private Car Tour.
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