Tomb of Benei Hezir, Jerusalem
Dating back to the time of the Second Temple (2nd century BCE), this is the oldest of four monumental rock-cut tombs that stand in the Kidron Valley, bearing witness to the Hellenistic period and the era of the Hasmonean monarchy in Jewish history. Carved into the cliff, the tomb resembles a burial cave and exhibits architectural elements influenced by ancient Greece (two pillars with Doric capitals) and Nabataean culture (popular among some Judaean families for its decorative motifs), but notably lacks any Egyptian influences.
The tomb's Hebrew inscription identifies it as the burial site of a priestly family known as Benei Hezir. In the Hebrew Bible, there are two mentions of men named Hezir: one was the founder of the 17th priestly division, while the other was among the leaders who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Whether there is any connection between the family interred here and the biblical Hezirs remains unknown.
Tip:
You can approach the tomb complex on foot, or watch it from the roadside just outside the Old City. Walk along Maale Ha-Shalom on the valley side of the road until you are directly above the tomb. There you'll find a viewpoint equipped with a layout map and an audio device providing insightful commentary on the monuments below.
The tomb's Hebrew inscription identifies it as the burial site of a priestly family known as Benei Hezir. In the Hebrew Bible, there are two mentions of men named Hezir: one was the founder of the 17th priestly division, while the other was among the leaders who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. Whether there is any connection between the family interred here and the biblical Hezirs remains unknown.
Tip:
You can approach the tomb complex on foot, or watch it from the roadside just outside the Old City. Walk along Maale Ha-Shalom on the valley side of the road until you are directly above the tomb. There you'll find a viewpoint equipped with a layout map and an audio device providing insightful commentary on the monuments below.
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 Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Tomb of Benei Hezir on Map
Sight Name: Tomb of Benei Hezir
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.
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Historians believe that the Old City of Jerusalem probably came into being more than 4,500 years ago. The defensive wall around it features a number of gates built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the first half of the 16th century, each of which is an attraction in its own right. Until as recently as 1870, they were all closed from sunset to sunrise; nowadays, just... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
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.
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
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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.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 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.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
The following self-guided walking tour will... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Mount Zion Walking Tour
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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
Bethlehem Walking Tour
Perched on a hill at the edge of the Judaean Desert, Bethlehem has been known to the world, for more than two millennia, as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The “star of Bethlehem” as well as Christmas carols and hymns are firmly associated with this ancient city in the West Bank, Palestine, and thus, for some visitors, the bustle of a modern city may come as a surprise.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Undoubtedly, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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