The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is a beautiful Russian Orthodox house of worship in Jerusalem. It is located on the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was built in 1886 under the direction of Tsar Alexander III. He built the church to honor his mother, and dedicated it to Mary Magdalene. The church is built in classic 17th century Russian style and has seven onion domes that are gilded. They are quite impressive. The building is easily visible from points around Jerusalem; however, it really deserves a stop while visiting the city. Inside the church are several murals that depict the life of Mary Magdalene. Also in the church is an icon of the Mother of God. There have been miracle healings attributed to this place. The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is the resting place for Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia who was martyred along with another nun during the Russian Revolution in 1917. Also buried here is Princess Alice of Battenberg who was also known as Princess Andrew of Greece. She was responsible for harboring Jews when the Nazis occupied her country, in order to help keep them alive. She is also the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Visiting the Church is free; the hours are Tuesday and Thursday 10-12.

The Garden of Gethsemane lies at the bottom at the Mount of Olives. The name means “oil press” and most certainly refers to the fact that this area was used to press olive oil in the time of Jesus. It is now walled, but it is still a lovely place to visit and perhaps pray.

The Church of All Nations was built here in 1924. This house of worship is also known as the Basilica of the Agony. Two other holy places have also occupied this spot. One was a Byzantine style building that was built in the fourth century. It was destroyed around 750. The Crusaders built a chapel on the spot in the 12 century which also was demolished.

The Garden of Gethsemane still has olive trees on the grounds. Although there is some dispute about exactly how they are, there may be some on the grounds that were around during the time of Jesus. There is some evidence that the original plants were destroyed by fighting and in an effort to destroy this very religious place, but the general consensus is some of the roots did survive.

Olive trees have a long life span, so it is not an outrageous thought that some of them shaded the grounds then, just as they do today. These plants grow wider instead of taller, so the very wide ones are the oldest. They still produce fruit, which becomes ripe and are harvested in late September or early October. As you leave, you might want to offer the gatekeeper a few shekels for a stroll through the private garden.

This beautiful Garden is where Jesus and the disciples came to pray. He was said to have prayed so reverently at one time that he sweat blood. He most likely entered the city on Palm Sunday, by going through this place, through the gate that has long since been walled up. This is also the location of the famous betrayal by Judas Iscariot. There is also some speculation that the Blessed Virgin Mary here. Try to find a quiet spot to contemplate this lovely spot during a busy trip to the Holy Land.

The Temple Mount is one of the most sacred spots in all Jerusalem, and perhaps the world. Three major world faiths lay claim to holy place. In Hebrew, it is called (Har haBáyit) or Noble Sanctuary. In Arabic, it is called (Haram esh-Sharif).

From a topographical standpoint, this place is an elevated plateau that is located in the oldest part of the city. From a political perspective, this holy place is governed by the Supreme Muslim Religious Council.

For the Christian and Jewish communities, this place is sacred because of it used to be the site for the Temple of Jerusalem. It is also reported to be the place where Jesus will return to earth in the apocalyptic texts of the Bible, to start the kingdom of God on earth once more.

The Muslim faith considers this place important because the Prophet Muhammad reportedly made a journey to heaven from this same location. This is recorded in the Qur’an.

This sacred piece of ground has also been the mythical locations of the binding of Isaac, where the presence of Yahwah came to rest, and even the place where Adam was formed from the proverbial dust of the ground. So, as you can see, this is a special piece of earth, to say the least. You may want to research the mythos of the Temple Mount further before visiting.

The name Al-Aqsa Mosque means distant mosque. This is the third most holy site in Islam, and the holiest Mosque in Jerusalem. It is located on the Temple Mount or Hara mesh-Sharif, which means Noble Sanctuary. It is not certain, but this may be the site of the first mosque built in Jerusalem, which was erected in 638. It was destroyed by two different earthquakes. It has been rebuilt several different times over the millennium, due to natural disasters and man-made attacks.

Some of that rebuilding is still evident today. The Crusaders, Fatamids, Mamluks and Ayyubids added beautiful arches and other buildings to the Mosque. Unfortunately, most of these have been lost over the centuries, either by conquests or single acts of destruction. In 1959, King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated in the south end of the building. Bullet holes still remain in the stonework there, and a small memorial has been installed at the site.

Despite all this tragedy, some beautiful elements are still to be found here. The south end houses a Mihrab that Saladin decorated. It is a niche the points to the direction of Mecca. Lovely mosaics have survived around the central aisle arch and in the dome. The Crusader chapel or the Mihrab of Zacharia contains a stunning rose window. The Double Gate houses the original entrance to the Temple Mount. The pillars have been reconstructed, but the columns are true to the originals built by King Herod.

Although most of the interior of the Mosque is from the 20th Century, it is still a beautiful place to visit. There are seven aisles in the Mosque and over 120 stained glass windows. There are also 45 columns that supporting the inside of the building and 33 of these are made of white marble. Beneath the place there are steps that lead to the al-Aqsa Qadima or Ancient Al-Aqsa. This area is not generally open to the public.

The Western Wall is also known as the Wailing Wall, the Place of Weeping and the Buraq Wall. It is located in Old Jerusalem. In fact it is part of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount. It was built in 19 BCE by Herod the Great. Herod expanded the Temple Mount area artificially and the Wall was built to retain the soil and filler added during this period.

The Western Wall is around 100 feet high from the foundation, but only around 60 feet is above ground at this point. In total there are 45 stone courses, 28 of those are above ground. The first seven are from the time of Herod the Great. Four more layers were added by the Umayyad Caliphate around 600 CE. In the 1860s, another fourteen levels were added during the Ottoman period. And the last 3 were added by the Mufti of Jerusalem. No further additions have occurred since the six-day war in 1967.

The sizes of the stones used in the wall are breathtaking. Weighing between 2 and 8 tons, the amount of work to get all the stones in place is truly amazing. One huge stone near Wilson’s arch may weigh as much as 570 tons. This arch is by the men’s prayer area and leads to and inside

The Wailing Wall is a site for Jewish pilgrimages’ and prayers since at least the 300s CE. The name Wailing Wall comes from the Jewish practice of coming to the Wall to mourn the loss of the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount. It is considered one of the most holy places for Jews to visit because of its proximity to the Temple Mount. The plaza around the Wall was built after the six-day war to make a gathering place for people to come and pray.

Both men and women are allowed to pray at the Wall, they must use separate entrances. The Wall is very busy during the Jewish Sabbath that begins at sundown on Friday evening and lasts until sundown on Saturday evening. Be sure to take along a prayer request on a small slip of paper to slip in between the stones. There prayer requests are removed once a month and taken to the Mount of Olives. When visiting, take your passport, expect tight security, and dress modestly. No pictures are allowed during the Sabbath. There is no fee.

The Dome of the Rock is located on top of the Temple Mount in Old Jerusalem. It is a Muslim shrine that was built in 691 CE by Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik. It has been refurbished several times in the ensuing centuries. It is built over a stone that is considered sacred by several religions.

Muslims believe this stone is the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven. This occurred during the Night Journey to Jerusalem. This is also the place that Gabriel brought Muhammad to pray with Abraham, Jesus, and Moses. This is the oldest Islamic monument in the world, and it contains the oldest mihrab still standing.

Jews believe it was on this rock that Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son. Both Christians and Muslims believe the rock to be the home of Solomon’s Temple that was destroyed. In fact, several subsequent churches, built by the Knights Templar, follow the same design that is found in the shrine.

The shrine is an octagonal shape and the outside is covered in exquisite tile work and white marble. Extensive refurbishing has been done on tile work and it has been kept as true to the original as possible. There are also extensive mosaics on the inside of the shrine. The Dome itself has also been refurbished. The original gold one has been replaced with aluminum and a gift from King Hussein of Jordan covered it in gold leaf making it a truly spectacular sight.

The inside of the Dome of the Rock also has an octagonal shape with an outside ring and an inner circle. This is to represent the circular movement around Ka’ba in Mecca by pilgrims who visit there. The sacred rock is protected by a wooden screen that replaced the wrought iron screen erected by the Knights Templar. That screen is now protected in the Islamic Museum.

There is a fee to visit; the price includes entry into the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as the Islamic Museum. Hours vary and only Muslims may visit at certain times. Non-Muslims have a separate entrance.

Notre Dame De Sion Ecce Homo Convent is the first station of the cross located on the Via Dolorosa. It takes its name from the statement Pilate made as he presented Jesus to the mob and said “Behold, the man.” This is the place where Jesus as well as other prisoners were tortured before crucifixion. There are several caves and tunnels to see, and they still stand witness to the games the Roman soldiers played with their prisoners while they were being tortured.

The Convent also houses a hostel that has one of the best views of Old Jerusalem available. The terrace has incredible views and should absolutely not be missed, and the guest rooms also have good views. If a fancy hotel with turn down service is a necessity, this will not be the place to book. However, if a clean hotel with good food and comfortable accommodations work, be sure to stay here.

There are two different levels of accommodations available. The first are the dormitories (these are not co-ed). The beds have partitions around them and a curtain as a door. Bathroom facilities are shared, yet when one thinks of a dorm, it is usually a row of beds with no privacy available. These are definitely a step up.

The second level of accommodations is rooms that have private bathrooms and a desk. Single through quadruple rooms are available to match most family or group sizes. Breakfast is included and it consists of breads and spreads, juice, coffee, fruits and vegetables. Supper can also be ordered if desired. Guests are welcome to join in the convent chapel for mass, and prayer time. It is a special place to stay and pray in Jerusalem.

While here do not miss the cistern or Struthion Pool that was built in 135 CE. This provided water for the Temple Mount. Also the Ecce Homo Arch is here and it spans the Via Dolorosa and then continues into the basilica.

Via Dolorosa is Latin for the “Way of Grief” or the “Way of Suffering”. It is interesting that while most signs in Jerusalem are in Hebrew, English and Arabic, this one road is just given the Latin name. This road is popular among Christian pilgrims who believe it traces the steps that Jesus took carrying his cross on the way to his crucifixion.

14 stations mark the path along the route, including the five that are in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Although anyone can walk the Via Dolorosa at any time, every Friday around 3 P.M., a group is lead by Franciscan monks along the path. This is the best way to experience the walk. This area can be very crowded and the signs a bit difficult to find. At spots, the walk back tracks a bit and station IX can be particularly difficult to find. Some may find the noisy streets a bit distracting when trying to find a quite spot to pray or contemplate the religious significance of the area.

There have been several different versions of the path throughout history, the current path having been set in the 1700s, and follows the path set by the early Byzantine Christians. The stations are marked with round signs that have Roman numerals marking the Stations of the Cross. Different religious groups may start the walk at different sites.

The journey begins at the site where Jesus was tried and convicted in Old Jerusalem at the near Lion’s gate in the Muslim section although some may choose to start at Herod’s Palace at the Jaffe Gate. The route ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and covers approximately 500 meters.

There is no entrance fee to the Via Dolorosa. There are many churches along the way to visit and several gift shops that offer religious icons. Re-enactments are frequently held especially around Holy Week.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is also known as “The Church of the Resurrection” by Eastern Orthodox Christians. It is located within the walls of Old Jerusalem close to the Muristan. It sits on one of the holiest sites in the Christian faith. It is believed that this is the site of Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus Christ was crucified. It is also located over the tomb where he was buried.

The Church is rather an odd hodgepodge of styles, a mix of humble and simple in spots and ornate in others. It encompasses five Stations of the Cross, and is the ending place of the Via Dolorosa. The outside façade was built by the Crusaders centuries ago. Immediately inside there is a tall bench where a caretaker (Muslim) sat to keep differing Christian factions apart. Even today parts of the building are under control of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic groups, and this is called the Status Quo. Serious arguments can occur if a chair is moved or a door is left open, as these are seen as signs of disrespect to the other groups.

Under the Rotunda is the tomb of Christ. The tomb is encased in a shrine called an aedicule which contains the Chapel of the Angel, which has a small piece of the stone that was rolled away from the tomb, and the Chapel. The later version of this spot contains the tomb itself. Inside the tomb is a cracked marble slab that shows where Christ’s body was laid after the crucifixion, this is not the original stone.

There are numerous chapels to see at the Church, each with its own special section of this holy ground. Directly beneath Calvary is the Chapel of Adam. Ancient tradition holds that Jesus was crucified over the site of Adam’s burial place. Behind the aedicule is Coptic Chapel where more of the tomb is visible. The Chapel of the Prison of Christ, the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, and the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross are also open for visitation. The Chapel of St. Vartan is Armenian and encompasses an area that was newly excavated in the 1970s. Unfortunately, this area is not generally open to the public.

Access to the Church of the Sepulcher is free, hours vary, please dress appropriately for the sanctity of the area.

The time elevator is a tourist attraction in Jerusalem not to be missed. It takes the visitor on a tour of Jerusalem that covers around 3,000 years. This piece of land has been through so many changes in that span of time. The film and narration help to bring all that into clear focus. It starts with a visit from King David and progress through time until the 6-day war. The destruction of the First and Second Temples, the rise of Christianity and Islam, Roman occupation and the establishment of the State of Israel are all covered.

The seats in the theater are on an axis that allows them to move in synchronization with the film. There is a control for each seat that will eliminate some of the bumps but this is definitely the kind of film that keeps patrons engaged thought earthquakes and invaders. There are stationary seats for the faint of heart and those with motion sickness issues, heart patients and those who are pregnant. Chaim Topol of Fiddler on the Roof fame stars in the 30 minute production and really brings history alive.

The film is presented in Hebrew, but there are headphones available that provide translation in English, German, French, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Italian. Admission to the film is $15.00 for adults.

Ben Yehuda Street is more open pedestrian mall than street. It connects to Jaffa and King George Street forming a triangle in central Jerusalem. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda was a linguist and is credited with reviving the Hebrew language and the street is named in his honor. The Street was a busy thoroughfare even before Israel was a state and as such, it has been the target of several terrorist bombings and attacks. Closing it to vehicular traffic made the Street safer but it is still wise to be wary.

Having given a nod to caution, this Street is really fun and caters to the tourists. The area is a great place to buy a souvenir, grab some great food, have a little sit down and watch the crowds go by. The streets are lined with sidewalk cafés and musicians frequent the area with music, old and new. The locals call the area Midrachov which is a contraction of two Hebrew words meaning Sidewalk Street.

While Ben Yehuda Street is not the most significant street in Jerusalem, or the most attractive, it is certainly not to be missed. The cobblestones certainly add to the charm and the music along with the food and little shops make for a fun atmosphere.

Artel Jazz Club is the best jazz club in Israel. It is situated in the center of Jerusalem in the Russian Compound. Israeli jazzmen give jazz concerts every evening. It is a very popular, stylish place where you can have good beer and listen to a live concert, after a long day's tour.