The Old City Jerusalem, Jerusalem

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Queen Helen Coptic Orthodox church is located near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It includes one of the ancient sights in Jerusalem. It's a cistern (a water well). It was hewn in the rock and later discovered by Queen Helen, Constantine's mother in the 4th century. It provided water for drinking and building the Holy Sepulcher church.

You can watch my 1 min 54 sec HD Video Jerusalem Helen’s Cistern out of my Youtube channel.

As you enter the Jaffa Gate on your right hand is the Citadel, mistakenly called the Tower of David (he had nothing to do with it -but it was named in his honour) which is a VERY ancient building.Its foundations go back 2300 years.Inside is the Jerusalem History Museum- well worth a visit. It is clearly signposted in English, Hebrew and Arabic and there are guided tours, some in English.
After spending an hour or so in the Citadel you will have a much clearer idea of the complex history of this ancient city.

24 hour information line: +972-2-6265310

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In the center of Via Dolorosa there is a hidden jewel: on number 37 the "Austrian Hospice of the Holy Family" is located, a building with about 6 stories and a wonderful, accessible roof-terrace, offering stunning views over the Old City and her buildings.
The"Austrian Hospice" was officially opened on 19 March 1863. With some major interruptions it serves as a hostel, hotel,restaurant and haven for pilgrims from all nations.
1987 the building was completely renovated. Pilgrimage activities resumed in January 1988,since then, guests from all over the world have been able to enjoy its hospitality.
Hotelrooms and dormitories - in the very center of Jerusalems Old City - are available at fair prices.
Another attraction is the "Genuine Vienna Coffehouse", serving many dishes, usually only available in Vienna.

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"The characteristic decorative elements of the Mamluk period are:

Mukarnas - graduated, three-dimensional stone stalactites in the half-dome above the entrance.

Ablak - striped masonry. Courses of the beautiful cream-colored local limestone are alternated with courses of differently colored stone, usually red, but also black and yellow.

Klebo - interlacing stones in different colors, carved in a variety of profiles and laid in intertwining, puzzle-like fashion".

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"The characteristic decorative elements of the Mamluk period are:

Mukarnas - graduated, three-dimensional stone stalactites in the half-dome above the entrance.

Ablak - striped masonry. Courses of the beautiful cream-colored local limestone are alternated with courses of differently colored stone, usually red, but also black and yellow.

Klebo - interlacing stones in different colors, carved in a variety of profiles and laid in intertwining, puzzle-like fashion".

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Many tourists come to visit the Holy Tomb church in the old city. Most of them miss a small door on the right side of the walls; if you walk inside you will come into the Ethiopian compund where monks and piligrims from Ethiopia live. Its a very unique place and I really recommand it.

One of the ancient sights in Jerusalem. It's a CISTERN, a water well. It was hewn in the rock and later discovered by Queen Helen, Constantine's mother in the 4th century.

It provided water for drinking and building the Holy Sepulcher church.

If you go down the steps to this cistern you'll find a musical surprise waiting for you. Sing your HYMN and enjoy your ECHO-SOUNDING.

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There are different sites inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and entering the Ethiopean part you can find other non local places and areas away from crowds and visitors.
We were entering a top of the roof where some Ethiopean monks were just talking and resting. My friend got exited to photograph them as they looked generously to our cameras.
Was an amazing time to live at full.

in the jewish quarter , in the old city , you will see these tiny narrow streets, where live very religious jews , go have a walk there in the morning, you will meet almost nobody, but sometimes, through an open door, you can have a look inside at yeshivas, where pupils learn the torah

The hospice is right on Via Dolorosa (number 37), but it's separated from the street with a tall fence. We set there on the steps in front of the gate to change film in the camera (yes... some of us are still analog dinosaurs) when someone buzzed the buzzer and went in. Then we saw there is someting in and went in. The building used to be a hospital and is now a hotel. There is a little chapel there coloured in bright colours as can be seen here and there are beautiful tiles in the entrance. This is a nice break from the hassle of the old city. You can have a coffee in the cafeteria and go on exploring the old city.