The Rockefeller Museum, formerly the Palestine Archaeological Museum, is an archaeological museum located in Jerusalem, Israel that houses a large collection of artifacts unearthed in the excavations conducted in the Land of Palestine beginning in the late 19th century. The museum building is also the head office of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The museum was designed by Austen St. Barbe Harrison, chief architect of the Mandatory Department of Public Works, who drew up blueprints for a white limestone building integrating eastern and western architectural elements. Among the museum's prized possessions are 8th-century wooden panels from the al-Aqsa Mosque and 12th-century (Crusader-period) marble lintels from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The collection is based on finds from the early years of archaeological excavation in the region (1890–1948). On display are artifacts unearthed in Jerusalem, Megiddo, Ashkelon, Lachish, Samaria, and Jericho.

The Islamic Museum is one of the many attractions to be located on the Temple Mount in Old Jerusalem. You can experience the life and culture of the people through ten periods of history, which encompasses multiple regions of the Muslim community. The location is next to al-Aqsa Mosque.

The structure was first built by the Knights Templar. They added this section on. Their headquarters was at the former Al-Aqsa Mosque. After the Templar’s were evicted from the area, the religious base of this house of worship was re-established.

The building has also served as a school and assembly hall. It was named Fakhr al-Din Mohammad, a madrasa which was constructed by al-Mansur Qalawun in 1282 A.D. The actual museum was established by the Supreme Muslim Council in 1923. The main architect was Shadia Yousef Touqan. The original head curator was Khader Salameh.

There are many rare artifacts to be seen here, including copper soup kettles from the Khasseki Sultan era of the 16th Century, weapons of the region, stained glassed windows, and many other beautiful items. It also has 600 plus examples of the Q’uran, which have been given as gifts to the institution. They represent 6 eras of Muslim history.

The Armenian people of Jerusalem are some of the most interesting folk among the various ethnicities that have settled in the city. They occupy a small section of the oldest part of town, and stay behind gates in a private compound. Much of this is due to the genocide that has haunted them for years.

Just off the main road to the Armenian quarter, however, is their museum. For five shekels, you can visit their museum. The courtyard is quite magnificent. The exhibits will give you a glimpse into this people like none other. And you cannot beat the bargain price.

There are over 30 rooms to view. You can see household and agricultural objects, maps, mosaics, manuscripts, photographs, woodcuts from early printing presses, copper ware, jeweled crosses, miters and embroidery. The overall collection is designed to really give the visitor a clear view of what life is like the Armenian people. It also depicts the achievements and history of the Armenian community in Jerusalem.

Visiting Information: The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM - 16:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays.

The L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art is a premier museum in Jerusalem. It is located very close to the residence of the President of Israel. The location was opened to the public in 1974, and was founded by Mrs. Vera Bryce Salomons. You may not find a better art gallery either, for the presentation of the art of the Muslim people.

Though not of that faith tradition, Mrs. Vera Bryce Salomons had a great love of the culture of Islam. She was very interested in helping the world know that religion alone did not define this people. She was expressly interested in the beautiful calligraphy that was some common in the handwriting of this area. She noted also that the various Muslim regions of the world had their own “flare” in the art of the writing as well.

The institute itself was dedicated to Ms. Salomons’ professor: L.A. Mayer, who passed away in 1959. It was her hope that opening this place would allow art to help bridge the gap between the Israeli and Arabs.

There are nine galleries in totem, which depict the culture, faith, and art of the Islamic people across the world. The museum also is home to Professor Mayer’s personal collection. Displayed here are some of the world’s finest examples of chess pieces, eye masks, daggers, swords, helmets, textiles ,glass items, etc. The rooms are laid out in chronological order. One spot also houses the pieces owned by David Salomon, the husband of the founder. Some of the finest examples of hand made clocks from the 1700s through the 1800s are kept here. You can also find some exquisite artisan style music boxes from that time in history.

The Bible Lands Museum is one of the best examples of art, history and culture of the nations that make up the Bible to be found in Jerusalem. It has also become rather famous for its educational programming as well. In fact, it has won international awards for such. The countries covered include the lands of Canaan, Egypt, Philistine, Aramea, as well as the people known as the Hittites, Elamites, Phoenicians & Persians.

The building is located on Givat Ram, next to the Israeli Museum. The main section displays hundreds of artifacts and ancient documents. You can tour and see idols, coins, statues, weapons, pottery, seals from across the ancient Near East.

You can also find scale models of ancient sites in Jerusalem, a Ziggurat at Ur and the pyramids at Giza. The address is: Museum, 25 Avraham Granot Street, P.O Box 4670, Jerusalem 91046. The location is open to the general public from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. It has extended hours on Wednesday, until 9:30 p.m. You can also visit on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They are closed on most major holidays.

You can get a guided tour of the museum in English at 10:30 a.m. each day. You can also get a guide that speaks Hebrew at 11:00 a.m. In the evening, the respective tours would be at 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. You would need to check in advance for any information on Saturdays.

The Israel Museum, or Muze'on Yisrael, Yerushalayim is located in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1965 as Israel's national archive. It is located in the local region of Givat Ram. The National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, Knesset, the Israeli Supreme Court, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are very near to this location also. Mayor Teddy Kollek was perhaps the most instrumental person in the development of the institution. In terms of similar places, it is world famous for art and archaeology. In its walls are housed ancient artifacts from the days of the Bible, Judaica, local ethnic graphic art, as well as archaeological pieces from every major contienent in the world. You can also find treasures from the Orient, glass, clay and porcelain sculptures and rare documents from around the world. Perhaps the most famous exhibit here is the Shrine of the Book. In a special shaped building, the Dead Sea Scrolls and artifacts discovered at Masada have found a home. The museum's owns over 500,000 collectible pieces. At any one time, there are around 7500 items that can be viewed, or seen online. The location, under the directorship of James Snyder, underwent a mutlti-million dollar campaign to modernize the structure. In addition, the construction would be designed to double the gallery space available for exhibits. It opened on July 26 2010. The current building covers nearly 150,000 sq. feet. It attracts 800,000 patrons yearly. Well over 100,000 children visit each year. It holds the biggest public display of Israeli artifacts in the world.