The Western Wall, sites of memory evoking the Passion of Christ, early Christian churches and Islamic temples… Discover our practical guide to Jerusalem, Israel's glorious capital.

A stay in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of those cities that has moved into the modern era while stubbornly clinging to its cultural moorings. City of David, holy city of the Almighty, three times blessed city… So many epithets designating the spiritual and religious heart that Israel's capital has been and continues to be in the eyes of Christian and Jewish communities. Whatever your beliefs, Jerusalem is a mandatory stop for an authentic journey through the Middle East. Stroll through the Old City and visit the most striking places in the life of Christ: the Gate of Mercy, through which the Messiah entered Jerusalem in triumph, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on the site where he was crucified, the Via Dolorosa or way of sorrows, the Praetorium where Governor Pilate pronounced his death sentence, the Mount of Olives where his blood dripped from his brow… The city also houses historic mosques. Take advantage of your stay in Jordan to cross the border into Israel and discover Jerusalem.

History of Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem corresponds to the definition of an open-air museum. Before being taken by the Romans, the capital enjoyed a long and dramatic past stretching back to the age of the Davidic dynasty.

A thousand years before Christ, David founded a powerful kingdom on the territory of the Canaanites whom the Eternal had given in possession to the Israelites. Solomon's Temple was likely to be found south of the contemporary city, on Ophel Hill, which concentrated urban planning ambitions in that distant era. After the fall of the House of David, Jerusalem passed in turn under the control of the Babylonians, Persians, and Seleucids. The revolt of the Maccabees under Antiochus Epiphanes marks the end of the biblical era.

In 63 BCE, General Pompey invaded Jerusalem. Emperor Hadrian renamed it Aelia Capitolina, a name deliberately chosen for its Latin resonance. In the meantime, Christianity had spread throughout the city; the Roman Empire persecuted the faithful until 320 AD when Emperor Constantine converted to the new religion. The city enjoyed provisional peace during the Roman and Byzantine era. Wars returned in force when the Arabs took control of the Fertile Crescent.

As for the name Jerusalem, linguists have associated it with Shalem, an obscure Canaanite deity who may have protected the city before the arrival of the Israelites. But a second, more logical interpretation is offered: the Hebrew shalom and Arabic salaam merged to give the word Shalem, used in the sense of "city or dwelling of peace."

What to see and visit in Jerusalem

Heir to 3,000 years of history, Jerusalem has countless monuments, museums and famous sites to visit. In our opinion, a three-day stay is essential to tour all the must-sees of the city. As a rule, the tourist visit to Jerusalem begins in the medieval quarter, continues at the Yad Vashem museum, then through the shopping streets before ending with the ascent of the Mount of Olives. Customized tours offer discovery of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho departing from Amman, Jordan's capital.

Religious heritage

While wandering through the heart of the Old City, several sacred sites capture the visitor's attention:

The Western Wall

For Christians, this wall is a precious remnant of the Temple of Jerusalem, built on the ruins of the first temple after the return from exile, but plundered in 70 by the Romans. Expelled from their land, Jews were allowed once a year to pray at the wall to mourn Jerusalem's past glory. For Muslims, they see in this wall the place where Buraq, Muhammad's winged horse, was tethered.

The ancient gates

Head towards the historic gates of Jerusalem which bear witness to the military attacks the city has endured: Herod's Gate, Hebron Gate, Damascus Gate and the Gate of Mercy, sometimes called the Golden Gate. This latter is of crucial importance as Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem through this gate and the Quran designates it as the place of the Last Judgment.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Every year, an incredible crowd of pilgrims travels to this church to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is built at Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion and burial of Christ.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque

On the Esplanade of the Mosques stands Al-Aqsa, the most important mosque in Jerusalem. Occupied by the Crusaders in 1089, it served as a palace and garrison before being conquered by Saladin. Access forbidden to non-Muslims.

The Dome of the Rock

With its golden dome, the Dome of the Rock is a masterpiece of Arab-Islamic architecture. It is located a stone's throw from the great mosque.

The Tower of David Museum

By exhibiting the history of the tower, this museum introduces visitors to the key events that have marked the holy city of Jerusalem.

Natural heritage

The Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is said to be the mountain where Jesus prayed with his three beloved disciples before entering his passion. Now a very popular pilgrimage site, several sites are worth seeing: the Church of the Ascension, where Christ blessed the eleven apostles before being taken up to heaven; the Pater Noster Chapel, which contains a version of the Lord's Prayer in 170 languages; the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his last time with the disciples before being captured; the Church of Dominus Flevit, a peaceful place full of spirituality.

After this nostalgic walk on the Mount of Olives, a swim in the Dead Sea can only end this day beautifully.

Architectural and urban heritage

Noisy and bustling, Jerusalem's market is a place where you can lose yourself at will. The stalls are filled with fruit, food supplies, fashion accessories, not to mention local crafts… Bargain hunters will find their fill here.

Practical information

Jerusalem is located about a hundred kilometers from Amman. Transport facilities include taxi, shuttle and private vehicle. If you hail a taxi, you must stop at the border post and change taxis to reach Jerusalem's city center. The fare is approximately $36 on the Jordanian side and $70 on the Israeli side. Negotiate before getting in.

Best time to visit Jerusalem

Tourism in Jerusalem has high and low seasons. The bulk of tourist arrivals are recorded in spring and fall, when desert temperatures are less extreme.

You will love…

• Wandering through the Old City;

• Enjoying quiet reflection on the Mount of Olives;

• Swimming in the Dead Sea;

• Making a pilgrimage along the Way of Sorrows;

• Soaking up the typical atmosphere of the souks and medinas;

• Visiting the mosques and Christian churches;

• Savoring excellent local specialties.