The Old City Of Jerusalem is a historical, mystical and beautiful place in the city’s heart. In this blog post, I want to share with you travelling information while walking through the Old City of Jerusalem, also using Google Maps. I will describe exciting places of the ancient town with photos and videos. Let’s imagine that we are now at the first tourist attraction: the large-scale statue “I Love Jerusalem”, which is located in “Tsahal Square”.
People often enjoy sitting down nearby or just warmly embracing the “I ❤️JLM” statue. Hence, it is a way they show their love for the holy city of Jerusalem, also taking photo or video. We are now in “Tsahal Square” as you can see in Google Maps in terms of geography.
Now let’s continue our way further along Jaffa Street. We are moving towards the Jaffa Gate, on the left side, there is one of the old city walls. According to history, in the 15th century, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman required to build the old Jerusalem walls. We’ll talk more about the walls of the ancient city, but for now, I suggest you enjoy a walk along Jaffa Street in the following 2-minute video.
Jaffa Gate
In 1898, after that, the Ottoman government dismantled part of the wall near Jaffa Gate, to allow the passage of carriages and horses of German Emperor Wilhelm II and his court. The Kaiser entered the Old City on horseback through ceremonial arches, while the empress accompanied him by carriage. Interestingly, Jaffa Gate looks directly to the sea, being the only gate parallel to the sea, i.e., Jaffa’s city.
Indeed, Jaffa Gate took its name because of the Jaffa city. Since all the pilgrims who wanted to visit Jerusalem, came from the Jaffa’s port, they went straight up to the Jerusalem hills. I personally consider Jaffa Gate the modern entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Actually, nowadays, it’s the main entrance to the Old City for Jews and tourists.
I recorded the video below during a walk close to the Tower of David and Jaffa Gate. You are welcome to watch it.
Tower of David In The Old City Of Jerusalem
The Tower of David was built in the 2nd century BC, and afterwards, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times by Christians, Muslims and Ottomans. The museum of Jerusalem’s history is located precisely at the Tower of David, which includes a vast archaeological site. Every year, there is the light festival with 3D projections of bright and colourful images on the Old City walls. If you want to know more about the history of old Jerusalem, I suggest you visit the Tower of David’s history museum.
The Jewish Quarter In Old City Of Jerusalem
After we pass the Tower of David Museum, we head towards the Jewish Quarter of old Jerusalem, starting from “Or HaHayim” street. (You are welcome to check the map.) We can say that the Jewish quarter of the ancient Jerusalem begins from this street. In Hebrew, Or is Light and Haim is Life; hence, we find ourselves in the historical Or HaHayim street.
Or HaHayim Street
At the beginning of the street, starting from Jaffa Gate, you will see the Yeshiva “Birkas aTora”; indeed, Or HaHayim street begins from the enlightening place of Torah studies. Then we meet the “Old Yishuv Court Museum”, which shows the life in the settlements located in the old city’s territory 500 years ago. While visiting this museum, you will learn how the religious Jews lived at that time. By the way, a significant part of their life was devoted to the study of Torah.
Inside the museum, you can find the Synagogue Or Hachaim. According to history, in the building where the Synagogue, rabbi Ari Hakadosh Arizal was born. He is the author of the entire book of Kabbalah. The Synagogue Or Hachaim lies on the 2nd floor of the “Old Yishuv Court Museum”. I suggest you watch the following video to take a glance at this historic and unique place.
If you liked this post, you are welcome to read my next article “Cardo Street In Old Jerusalem“. Cardo Street was founded in 135 AD under the Roman emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus ordered to build the Aelia Capitolina.