I am going to Jerusalem all alone
with almost no money, no friends
or film crew
and you are invited.
Just myself showing you
how to make the most out of it
safely, inexpensively and easily.
Coming up next, DIY Destinations - Jerusalem
We are so fortunate
to live small world
with so many cultures
so much beauty
and so much diversity
the world waits for no one
it's up to each of us to discover its magnificent destinations
I want to make travel accessible to all of us
by showing how it can done safely and inexpensively
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world
located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains.
It is considered holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
During its long history, this city has been destroyed at least twice
besieged, attacked, and captured and recaptured hundreds of times.
Today, it is under Israeli administration
but Palestinians claims it as their future capital.
Given political sensitivity, rather including it in Israel or Palestine episode
we decide to feature Jerusalem in this special mini-episode.
The most inexpensive way from Ben Gurion Airport
is by public bus run by the National Bus Company Egged.
One of the green buses will first take you to El Al Junction
where you can transferred on direct bus to Jerusalem Central Station.
It comes once every 30 minutes.
But remember it does not operate on Sabbath
from Friday after 3 pm to Saturday afternoon.
From Central Station, catch a tram
to Old City by getting off either City Hall Stop near Jaffa Gate
or Damascus Gate
two one of main entrance to Old City
stay nearby; so all the all the historical attractions will be visited on foot.
All of the hostels inside the Old City are uniquely made from Jerusalem stone
consist of various types of pale limestone that have been used in building since ancient times
including the Western Wall.
as you can see, this is a very unique hostel
because the building is over 700 years old
lots of history
living in a ancient house like this
It's not every single day you get to do this
but my favorite, favorite and favorite place is up, again in the terrance
Most of them also have rooftop
over looking the ionic attractions… a bonus!
Jerusalem is fairly small
all you need is three days to fully enjoy it
two days for the Old City and one day on the New City.
Keep in mind many stores do not open for business on Sabbath.
If you are on time constraint, than sign up for one of the numerous number of free walking tour.
for those with more time
download the free “The Old City of Jerusalem Audio Walking Tours”
The Old City is divided into four quarters
we’ll begin our journey from Christian Quarter, starting from the Jaffa Gate.
The first holy places we’ll visit is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
dating back at least to the fourth century
it contains two holiest sites in Christianity.
It is believe this is where Jesus crucified
and location of his empty tomb
where he is said to have been buried and resurrected.
Jerusalem has attracted millions of pilgrims over thousands of years
Christians could literally trace the footsteps of Jesus.
There is a mental phenomena named Jerusalem Syndrome
when tourist convinced they are the Messiah after visiting the holy land.
There are on average 100 cases annually with 40 requiring admission to the hospital.
We continue our way to the largest and most populous, the Muslim Quarter
it extends along the northern wall of the Temple Mount
to the Damascus Gate—Western Wall route in the west
and the Lions' Gate in the east.
This is where we recommend you start
the entrance marks the beginning of the last walk of Jesus
from prison to crucifixion, the Via Dolorosa
This is a very famous arch
in the back over there and benefit it is
a Roman Catholic Church
The reason is so famous is
Jesus pass under this arch to his final walk to crucifixion
About a minute away around the corner
there is a small chapel belonging to the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate.
This is where the exhausted Jesus yields to pain, fell first of the three time to crucifxion.
This scene is depicted in the altarpiece within the chapel.
After all that walking, its time to fuel up with some amazing authentic Arabic sweet treats
along the way towards Damascus Gate.
You’ll find treats such as baklava, murtabak, and kanafah
all freshly made daily with local ingredients
Jerusalem is very safe with excellent security
you’ll notice there are Israeli soldiers everywhere at all times.
You should not find any issues unless you are an Arab or Muslim
I only saw middle age Muslim looking men with facial hair being stopped by police.
Unofficially, these only minorities are targeted for random body search, questioning and administrative detention without charge.
Therefore, if you are Muslim and Arab looking
I recommend you wear at least as possible
do not carry any camera bags, or anything that resembles a knife
or potentially mistaken you for being suicide bomber
so leave your belt at home.
The Damascus Gate is one of the main entrances to the Old City.
Its current form, the gate was built in 1537 under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
Underneath, remains of a gate dating to the time of the Roman rule in the 2nd century AD
have been discovered and excavated.
Jerusalem is also a great starting point for visiting Palestine.
Right across from Damascus Gate is the only Palestinian bus station serving
as transportation hub
to Arab neighborhoods and to rest of West Bank cities
such as Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jericho
A short distance to the east lies the Herod’s Gate.
It’s claimed that it once had a soup kitchen feeding lentil soup to the poor
while other believed that underneath contains a prison in which Saint Peter was held.
We continue our tour through the Jewish Quarter
boarding the iconic Western Wall and the Temple Mount.
Start by arriving early in the morning to enter the Western Wall Plaza
to visit the Wall and
be prepared for the long line up for the Dock of the Rock.
The Western Wall, made from ancient limestone
is considered the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray
due to its connection to the Temple Mount.
There is a common practice of placing written prayers to God
into the cracks of the limestone.
The earliest recorded occurrence of such a phenomenon
dates from the early 18th century
and stems from the Jewish tradition that the Divine Presence rests upon the Western Wall.
Today, over a million notes are collected twice a year and buried on the nearby
Mount of Olives.
On the Western Wall Plaza, there is ramp
which allows non-Muslim visitors to access Temple Mount through
Moroccan’s Gate from Sunday to Thursday.
To get access to Temple Mount
there is always a long lineup
its only open in the morning and early afternoon
alternatively you can come here and still get a food view
to get a good view of Dome of Rock and Temple Mount
The Dome of the Rock, one of the two holy sites on the Temple Mount
was initially completed in 691 CE
is a shrine and now one of the oldest works of Islamic architecture.
It has been called "Jerusalem's most recognizable landmark" with its golden dome.
Right across is the Al-Aqsa Mosque
the third holiest site in Islam.
It is believe that Muhammad was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa during the Night Journey.
The mosque was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 746
was rebuild in 754, again in 780 and finally 1033 where it stood to the present day.
Located in the Dung Gate
a free section of Jerusalem Archaeological Park and offers
the visitor rare chance to climb up
the original steps of the 2,000 years old Hulda Gates
that lead to the Temple Mount during the second Temple period.
The archaeological park consists of Robinson's Arch
the Herodian Street
huge stones - fallen remains from the Temple Mount
A remembrance of the destruction in 70 AD
The Old City is also home to numerous yeshivas and synagogues
most notably the Hurva Synagogue, destroyed numerous times and rededicated in 2010.
Located near to the Synagogues is
where a Roman Cardo was discovered
and dates back to Justinian
in the first half of the 6th c. A.D.
The Cardo was depicted in the 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem
on a church floor in Madaba, Jordan.
The central street has lined on both sides with columns.
Today a portion of the Cardo has been rebuilt as a modern shopping lane.
Jewish storekeepers sell fancy souvenirs and keepsakes to tourists.
We’ll finish the tour of Old City by visiting Armenian Quarter from Cardo.
The Armenian presence in Jerusalem dates back to the fourth century AD
when Armenia adopted Christianity as a national religion
and Armenian monks settled in Jerusalem.
The St. James’ Cathedral is dedicated to two Christian saints:
James the Greater, and the James the Just
This ancient church, part of which dates to 420 AD
is one of the most decorated places of worship in the Holy Land.
In this quarter, you can sightseeing from above
by roof walking, where you’ll get a breathtaking eastward view of Temple Mount and Mount of Olives.
Before leaving the Old Jerusalem
we pass by another iconic landmark Tower of David
also known as the Jerusalem Citadel
is an ancient citadel located near the Jaffa Gate.
It contains important archaeological finds dating back over 2,000 years
includes the dates of First Temple Period
After all that walking, I am sure every can agree for some inexpensive food.
You can get well even on backpackers' budget
but you do need to leave the touristy Old City and go local.
Exit Damascus Gate
walk across the street where you can find many, many and many
inexpensive fresh fruits, pastries, hand squeezed juice and tasty street food.
Don’t forget try the jumbo falafel and ka'ak,
a popular Palestinian bread sprinkled with sesame seeds.
But you can also find very inexpensive healthy fast food
run by two restaurant chains called Cofizz and Cofix
in New Jerusalem
both offers varieties of rice, pasta, salads, soup, and drinks.
Everything on the menu is sold separately at a fixed price
Every single item including the sandwiches, pasta and the soup is NIS 5
which is about $1.40 US
The primary form of transportation from the Old City to the New Jerusalem is by light rail tram.
There is a stop directly at the Damascus Gate
but if you are close to Jaffa Gate, then you’ll need to take a five-minute walk to the City Hall stop.
The line will take you back to Jerusalem Central Bus Station for buses to other cities and settlements under Israeli control.
But today, we’ll be transferring on to another bus to visit the Knesset, Parliament of Israel and the Supreme Court.
To the opposite of the Knesset and Supreme Court is the Wohl Rose Park
containing 400 varieties of roses are grown here
many of them gifts from countries around the world.
It also includes an ancient mosaic preserved in the garden
and the Knesset Menorah is located outside the park,
facing the Knesset.
Below the stairs also lies the Jerusalem Bird Observatory,
as every spring and fall more than 500 million birds migrate through Israel.
Two-thirds of the species seen in Jerusalem are migratory.
Although, we do not take any political positions,
most members of United Nations General Assembly
do not recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
However, the reality is
Jerusalem is administrative capital
and seats of all branches of Israeli government.
The Knesset; the parliament is center of its political power.
Free Tours for Individuals are available on Sunday and Thursday
in multiple languages.
Reservation is not required but all visitors must provide a valid passport.
The one hour tours provide an overview on the history, role and responsibilities of the Knesset.
Visitors will have an opportunity to visit many part of the building
including, The Knesset Committee Rooms, the Assembly Chamber, and the display of the Declaration of Independence.
Situated across from the Knesset is the Supreme Court of Israel
which jurisdiction applies to all of Israel and the occupied territories.
The building was donated to Israel by Dorothy de Rothschild and opened in 1992.
The restored mosaic at the entrance to the building was discovered at the ancient synagogue of Hamat Gader.
Free Tours Sunday through Thursday in English and Hebrew.
Our journey ends by taking a last breathtaking view of the Old Jerusalem from Mount of Olives.
From the top of mountain, near the Seven Arches Hotel, is a remarkable vista site.
You’ll be treated to great panorama of the city and the hillside, covered by 150,000 graves
on Jewish cemetery dating back 3,000 years.
Jerusalem is a magnificent destination that combines ancient history with a bustling modern city.
It allows all of us to see the histories of three great religions and to experience it…
It’s archaeological relics,
spiritual landmarks
and holy sites allow all of us to reconnect with the important history…
most importantly ourselves.
Join us again as we’ll discover the best of Israel from North to the South in our next episode.