Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem is the "cradle of the three religions" and a holy destination for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. As a mecca for pilgrims from all over the world, Jerusalem boasts a centuries-old history and outstanding cultural heritage.

For the Jews, Jerusalem is the "city of David," the central place of the Jews' return to the Holy Land from exile, and the place of unification and revival of the nation. Christians know Jerusalem as the place where Christ spent his last days before he was crucified and resurrected. Muslims, in turn, call Jerusalem Al-Quds and consider it the third holiest city after Medina and Mecca, as well as the land where, according to Islamic tradition, the prophet Muhammad made a miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended to the seventh heaven to Allah, where divine wonders and signs were revealed to him.

Since its establishment, Jerusalem has been part of many different states, which has contributed to its uniqueness and identity. The heart of Jerusalem is the Old City, historically divided into four quarters: Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim.

Perhaps the most important place for each of the three religions, and worth adding to your Jerusalem itinerary, is the Temple Mount. This hill, located in the Old City, houses such Muslim mosques as the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa. Moreover, according to Jewish tradition, it was on the Temple Mount that Solomon built the famous Temple. The only part of the Temple that survived is the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, which is an absolute "must-see" during Jerusalem tours.

However, remarkable and impressive landmarks are not limited to the Old City. For instance, the slope of the Givat Ram hill boasts the majestic building of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) as well as several English buildings, including the Government building, the Church of St. Andrew of Scotland, the Central Post Office (Jerusalem Post), and the State Printing House.