
Burial Cave of Nicanor, Jerusalem
Inside the botanical gardens of the Hebrew University – Mount Scopus Campus, a small set of burial caves have been expertly preserved and are open to the public so that visitors can actually look around the original ossuaries that have not been moved for thousands of years! Far better than seeing them in a museum, rather here you can examine original burial artifacts in their location of discovery, and free of charge.
One of the ossuaries belongs to a Jewish benefactor by the name of Nicanor, known from ancient sources for having donated the gates of the Second Jewish Temple (516BC-70AD). According to lore, these brass gates were being sent by ship from Egypt to Judea when a storm broke out; thus, the crew was forced to cast one of them into the sea. When that proved to be ineffective, the crew decided to toss the second gate out as well. Hearing their plans, Nicanor declared that if they did so, they should cast him out as well. His self-sacrifice called for a miracle and the storm subsided. When the ship docked, the gate cast overboard was miraculously found floating in the harbor. All the Temple's gates were plated with gold save for Nicanor's, as the rabbis wanted the people to see the "miracle gates" in their pristine bronze form. Besides, their brass finish happened to have a special golden hue – or so the Talmud says...
Tip:
Visitors must show ID to enter the university campus.
Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 6:30am–11pm; Fri: 6:30am–3pm
One of the ossuaries belongs to a Jewish benefactor by the name of Nicanor, known from ancient sources for having donated the gates of the Second Jewish Temple (516BC-70AD). According to lore, these brass gates were being sent by ship from Egypt to Judea when a storm broke out; thus, the crew was forced to cast one of them into the sea. When that proved to be ineffective, the crew decided to toss the second gate out as well. Hearing their plans, Nicanor declared that if they did so, they should cast him out as well. His self-sacrifice called for a miracle and the storm subsided. When the ship docked, the gate cast overboard was miraculously found floating in the harbor. All the Temple's gates were plated with gold save for Nicanor's, as the rabbis wanted the people to see the "miracle gates" in their pristine bronze form. Besides, their brass finish happened to have a special golden hue – or so the Talmud says...
Tip:
Visitors must show ID to enter the university campus.
Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 6:30am–11pm; Fri: 6:30am–3pm
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Jerusalem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Burial Cave of Nicanor on Map
Sight Name: Burial Cave of Nicanor
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Jerusalem, Israel
Create Your Own Walk in Jerusalem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Jerusalem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Jerusalem Old City Walking Tour
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the Old City of Jerusalem is best explored on foot, since its narrow streets and alleys make it almost an entirely vehicle-free zone. In addition to hosting four ethnic quarters, – Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian – it is packed with major historical and religious sites, which all make a trip here unique, unforgettable and not to be missed.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Armenian Quarter Walking Tour
Smaller and quieter than the Old City's other three quarters, the Armenian quarter contains a series of winding cobblestoned streets and alleyways teeming with people, shops, coffee stands, ceramic workshops and hookah bars. A city in miniature with distinct language, alphabet and culture, it has been in place since the 4th century, when Armenia adopted Christianity as a national religion.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Muslim Quarter & Temple Mount Tour
The largest, most populous and perhaps most chaotic of all Jerusalem’s quarters, the Muslim Quarter is worth exploring for its unique atmosphere. Spending a day here may take you back to a simpler time, but be prepared for many sights and sounds as you pass many vendors, stores and restaurants on your way from site to site.
Some of the city’s most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Some of the city’s most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Mount Zion Walking Tour
For those interested in religion and history, Mount Zion offers several unique sights that are situated in close proximity to each other. An important place for Christians, Jews as well as Muslims, it holds important constructions dating from the 20th century as well as a compound built by the Crusaders that marks the spot of both King David’s tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. How... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Entirely rebuilt in the 1980s after having been largely destroyed during the 1948 War, the Jewish Quarter is quite distinct from the rest of the Old City. Good signposting, spacious passageways, art galleries and a somewhat less buzzing atmosphere make the area a relaxing place to spend some time.
With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Mount of Olives Walking Tour
Aside from affording great views over the Old City, the Mount of Olives is home to half a dozen major sites of the Christian faith along with the oldest Jewish burial ground in the world. Considered a holy spot by many, it is associated with numerous events in Jesus’ life including ascending to Heaven and teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
The following self-guided walking tour will... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The following self-guided walking tour will... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Israel Things to Buy in Jerusalem
Modern day Jerusalem is a mosaic of neighborhoods, reflecting different historical periods, cultures, and religions. The influx of repatriates in recent years has made the cultural and artisanal scene of the city even more colourful and diverse. To find your way through Jerusalem's intricate...