Old City Jerusalem

Much of what we saw in Jerusalem was inside the walls of the Old City.  This area has changed over thousands of years, ruled over by many different groups of people.  Today it is shared by the Jews, Muslims, Christians and Armenians.  And much of it is dedicated to souvenier shops.  But, we spent a day and half exploring the area and learned alot about the history and the important events that occurred there.

A view of the Old City

Dome of the Rock on the left

Where Muhammed ascended to heaven

and Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac

A mural depicting life inside city walls in Roman Period

Our kids kind of blend right in!

Dome of the Rock framed by Hassidic Jews

Western Wall and the Temple Mount

Western Wall is the only remaining portion

of the 2nd temple built by Herod

Small church dedicated to St Peter

stands where St Peter denied Jesus a 3rd time

A portion of original stone wall where Jesus stumbled

while carrying the cross.  His hand left imprint.

Here Simon was pulled from the crowd to help

carry the cross.

The spot of the crucifixtion

now inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

The actual top portion of Mt Golgotha

is visible and accessible below the shrine

The stone on which Jesus' body was laid to 

prepare for burial

Also inside Church of Holy Sepulcher

 The shrine surrounding the tomb

which is now encased in marble

also inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

I would like to go back to Jerusalem someday because you really need more time than a day and half to explore the old city well.  We sped through many sites and did not have time to wait in the lines to view the crucifixtion site or the tomb.  I'm sure we only saw about a 1/4 of the whole walled city.