St. Anne’s Church sits next to the Bethesda Pool by the Lion’s Gate in Jerusalem. As with most structures in the city, the history of the location is fascinating. St. Anne’s is a great example of a 12th century Crusader house of worship. Although there have been several different uses of the property over the centuries, most of the original building is still there. Restoration was done in the 19th century and the structure itself retained its rather severe appearance. The Church was built in 1131-1133 over the presumed site where Mary’s mother Anne gave birth to her. St. Anne’s replaced a destroyed Byzantine worship center over the same site. One of the interesting facts about this place is its asymmetry. As you visit, be sure to notice the asymmetrical style, count the steps on one side and compare them to the other side. Another fact about St. Anne’s is the incredible acoustics of the building. It was built to accommodate Gregorian chants. Today anyone can come and sing here, the only stipulation is the song must be religious. Music from any religion is welcomed here. The reverberations are just perfect for tenor or soprano solo voices. St. Anne’s Church is almost at the beginning of the Via Dolorosa, so if you are planning on taking that walk, come early enough to enjoy this place. The hours are Monday-Saturday 8-noon and then 2-5, closed on Sunday. There is a small fee (around $2.50) to enter the church, but it is worth the time and money to see. Don’t forget to practice your song first.

The Golden Gate is located on the eastern walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. It leads directly to the Temple Mount. It is one of the more holy sites in the town, as it is revered by all three of the major religious faiths. It is recorded that Jesus entered the place on Palm Sunday. For the Jews, the arrival of the Messiah will happen here. For the Muslims, the future resurrection will start from this spot.

The construction of the location happened in the 6th to 7th Centuries A.D. (Probably somewhere around 640 A.D.) It was constructed in the spot where the old gate used to be from the second temple. It has been sealed since the 1500s. There are a total of 11 such structures, seven of which are still open to the public. They are called : Jaffa, Zion, Dung, St. Stephen’s (Lions’), Herod’s, Damascus (Shechem) and New. The most famous may be the Golden Gate.

The spot has been home to some gate since the time of Herod the Great. The original, however, would have been destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D., during the Roman conquest of rebels in Israel and Judea.

From the location, you can traverse easily to the Temple Mount, which would allow you a magnificent view across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. If you take a little hike into the lowlands, you will find the old trail to Bethany. You can also go to the famous Garden of Gethsemane.

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 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 Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is located in Old Jerusalem in the NE corner of the Muristan. The east half of this place was given to Prussian Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm by Sultan Abdul-Aziz of the Ottoman Empire. This occurred during a visit in 1869. Construction was completed in 1898 and it was the second Protestant worship center to be built in Old Jerusalem. The building was built over the ruins of the Church of St. Mary of the Latin’s. Some of that old building, such as the cloisters and refectory, were incorporated into this location. There is some speculation that both structures were built on top of an even older holy place. There are several interesting sites to see here. Be sure to find the sculpture on the medieval northern gate. The doors have signs from the Zodiac on them that are somewhat like those on the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The bell tower is open to the public for a small fee. For those who are brave enough to face the hard climb of around 200 steps, the reward at the top of the bell tower is a breath taking view of Jerusalem that extends all the way to the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion. The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is home to four different language communities, Danish, Arabic, German and English. It is closed on Sundays for services. There are also daily devotions during the week at noon. Hours are Mon-Sat 9-1 and 1:30 to 5.

Christ Church is the oldest Protestant Church in Jerusalem, and indeed all the Middle East. It was completed in 1849. It has also been called the "Jewish Protestant Church." It is as unique as it is controversial. When writing about the establishment of this community of faith,a fmous historian once called this religious home one of the wiedest moments in all Christendom.
The building gets its start in 1848, when the two countries of Great Britain and Prussia decided to establish a bishopric in the area. It structure was designed in a Neo-Gothic style, and was dedicated the same year. The grounds were originally the British Consulate.

In today’s times, it is now home to several congregations who worship in English, Hebrew, Romanian, and Filipino. The alter area is adorned with a beautiful version of the Hebrew Ten Commandments. You can also find ornate stained glassed windows in the sanctuary, which sport Jewish symbols. Christ Church also manages a coffee house and bookstore, which are adjacent to the property.

Christ Church is indeed unique. The foremost mission for the group is to always evangelize the Jews. The group took the example of the Apostle Paul seriously. The founders also felt that Biblical prophecy pointed to the fact that Zion would come to know Jesus as the true Messiah. As far as the outside world goes, the building would be a reminder of the need to always remember the contribution of God’s chosen people. That is why the church was build with lots of symbolic artwork that point back to promises made in the Bible.

The building is open to the general public daily from 8:00a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday worship, which is done in English, is at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Jaffa Gate is a 16th Century Ottoman addition to the wall around Jerusalem, which is located on the western side of the old city. It faces the city by the same name. It is the main entrance into that section of the town. It is one of eight such structures that are part of the famous wall around the city. It is also, perhaps oddly, set at a 90 degree angle, and is the only structural opening set as such. No doubt, this was done as a defensive tactic by the builders.

It goes by several different names also: in Hebrew, it is Sha'ar Yafo, and in Arabic, it is called Bab el-Khalil, which means "Gate of the Friend." You may also hear this place referred to as the “prayer niche of David.”

The Biblical character Jonah left on a sea journey from here. Pilgrims also debarked on their trip to the Holy City. Even in today’s times, this famous old road is still used. It is now a superhighway that will take you to Tel Aviv.

The name for this site is a reminder of the prophet Abraham. Legend holds he was buried there somewhere. Since he lived in Hebron, another name for the opening is the "Hebron Gate." King David makes this place sacred for Muslims because he is considered an Islamic Prophet. The Crusaders also build an opening they they called “David’s Gate.”