The Mount of Olives is named after the olive groves that once blanketed its slopes. Remarkably, one can even find an olive tree there that’s believed to be over 2,000 years old. The Mountain is important to all three monotheistic faiths.
At the Grotto of Gethsemane (or the Grotto of the Betrayal) amidst the ancient olive trees, Jesus Christ confronted his deepest fears and made peace with his fate. The place has been a pilgrimage site for devout Christians since the 4th century.
The Jerusalem Archeological Park, also known as the Davidson Center, offer visitors the opportunity to walk through the remains from the time of the Second Temple period.
Excavations at Ketef Hinnom in the 1970s revealed a series of rock-hewn burial chambers based on natural caverns. These chambers date back to the Iron Age, specifically the 7th and 6th centuries BCE.
The Tomb of Benei Hezir is an ancient burial site in the Kidron Valley. The tomb dates back to the Second Temple period. The Hezir family were a priestly family who had a significant role in the religious and social fabric of ancient Israel.
The Cardo Maximus in Jerusalem was the main north-south thoroughfare in the ancient Roman and Byzantine city. Today, remnants of this historic street can be seen in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
The Lion’s Gate stands as a pivotal entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City, marking the beginning of the Via Dolorosa. Through this gate, countless pilgrims have embarked on the revered path, retracing the steps of Jesus during his final hours.
The Via Dolorosa is a revered route in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion. This path is marked by 14 stations, each commemorating a specific event from Jesus’ final journey.
Hezekiah’s Tunnel is an underground aqueduct from the 8th Century BC. It is a marvel of engineering that is carved meticulously through solid rock. It is from a time when the city braced itself against impending Assyrian aggression.
The Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross is a Roman Catholic church nestled within the Franciscan monastery in the old city of Jerusalem. This monastery also houses the Church of the Flagellation. Both churches are significant landmarks on the Via Dolorosa, with the Church of the Condemnation marking the traditional Second Station of the Cross.