CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES AND MOSQUES -GET TO KNOW JERUSALEM'S OLD CITY

Your tour of Jerusalem begins today at the Jaffa Gate. We take first a walk through the bazaar in the Christian Quarter and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where the two most sacred places of Christendom are located:  Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion of Jesus as well as the Tomb of Jesus. 

Then we take a look at the Omar Mosque and stroll through the Muslim Bazaar to the Damascus Gate, one of the most beautiful gates of the ancient walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. We continue through the colorful market in the Muslim Quarter, until we get to the Via Dolorosa. Traditionally, for centuries this has been considered the path of the Passion of Christ. We can visit the one or the other church along the Via Dolorosa. We also see the Ecce Homo Arch.  We pass the Austrian Hospice, which was built during the times of the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef in the 19th century, and is still a pilgrimage guesthouse today. Here we can take a coffee break or enjoy the fantastic view from the roof terrace.

Then we visit the Bethesda Pools, where Jesus once healed a sick man. Here you will also find the Church of St. Anne, the best-preserved church from the time of the Crusaders, as well as the Birth Grotto of Mary.

We walk along the first stations of the Via Dolorosa, and then continue through the narrow streets of the bazaar until we reach the Western Wall, the holiest place in Judaism. You can write a note with your deepest wish or prayer to God and put it into the cracks between the huge stone blocks of the 2000-years old wall.

Then we go up to the Jewish Quarter. From the stairs we enjoy a wonderful view of the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the Mount of Olives. We pass the impressive Hurva Synagogue, the landmark of the Jewish quarter. Then we explore the archaeological remains of the Byzantine Cardo.

Our city walk continues to Mount Zion. It was here that Jesus held the Last Supper with his disciples. We can now also take a look at the impressive Dormition Abbey. This church reminds us of a medieval castle.

Subsequently, let's stroll through the Armenian Quarter, the smallest and oldest Christian Quarter of the Old City, also known for its beautiful ceramic craftsmanship.

Duration: Full Day Tour, approx. 7-8 hours

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