JERUSALEM - A PILGRIM'S EXPERIENCE

The main "attraction" for a Christian visiting the Holy Land is the City of Jerusalem itself. Pilgrims will discover a treasure of Biblical history and experience in and around the Old City of Jerusalem.

Pilgrims who also stay in one of the many facilities in the Old City experience and sense so much more of the Jerusalem of the Bible that it is worth considering the accommodation (referred to as Hospices) offered by various Christian Churches in the Muslim and Christian Quarters of the Old City.

A street in the Old City

It is advisable that pilgrims start out by obtaining an overall view of the Old City. The two best options are to go to the Jaffa Gate, obtain a map of the Old City from the Information Office, and then either take a walk on the walls (starting from Jaffa Gate and a little bit more expensive, known as the Ramparts Walk) or go to the Lutheran Church nearby and (it is less expensive) climb to the top of the tower.

If time permits, the next thing to do is to walk around the city walls (about 4 km) and become acquainted with all the Old City Gates.

Pilgrims worship in one of the many churches in the Old City

At The Damascus Gate you will experience the "business of the Old City" where hundreds of merchants and pilgrims and visitors will come and go from early in the morning till late. Orthodox Jews visiting the Wailing Wall from the early hours of the morning till very late use this gate. When passing The Lion Gate you will get a perfect view of the Mount of Olives. Peep through the Dung Gate because you will be at the main entrance to the Wailing Wall. And you will be right on Mt Zion when passing The Zion Gate.

Then start from the Muslim Quarter and visit each of the four Quarters of the Old City. After you have done all this you will feel at home in the Old City of Jerusalem where kings, prophets, apostles and Jesus Himself walked the roads.

There are many important sites outside the walls of the Old City. The most important being the Mount of Olives to the east. Another important place for Christian pilgrims is Ein Kerem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. And a visit to the Israel Museum is a must in order to obtain a better understaning of the Land of Israel. The Model of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus at the museum provides pilgrims with an excellent understanding of the layout of the City.