Outside the Walls, Jerusalem

by Bregman
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Nachlaot

One of my favourite places in the modern part of Jerusalem is Nachlaot. This is the collective name of several little neighbourhoods, most of which called Nachalat ..., whence the name for the entire area. These neighbourhoods were built in the second half of the 19th century as the Jerusalem Jews started to go out of the old city's walls. Each neighbourhood was built for a specific community, so you people descending from Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Hungary. etc. speaking a wide variety of languages. Most of the original diversity is now gone, but you can still see some of it today. For example, shown here is a typical inner court, built for Hungarian Jews in the exact same style popular in 18th century Hungary. It is still inhabited by the descendants of these Hungarian Jews whose lives haven't changed much in the last century. See the travelogue for more.

Directions: Between Machane Yehuda market (Aggripas st.) and Rechavya.


	Outside the Walls: Mary's Spring	Tip Rating:

Updated By Sharon

on May 20, 2005

by Sharon
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Mary's Spring

While walking in En Kerem you'll see just in the middle of the neighborhood a spring which called Mary's Spring. The beliefe is that Mary stopped here to drink on her way from Nazareth. Above the spring you'll see a mosque, why was it built above this spring ? i dont know... However this water may have been long time ago a clean ones though probably not anymore so please do NOT drink of it.

Address: En Kerem

Directions: Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: The Tomb Of Abraham	Tip Rating:

By imran8852

on April 4, 2007

by imran8852,
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One of the important evens in our journey there as a pilgrim was to visit as much as we can of all the places that were connected with Islamic Religion. We manage to visit the tomb of Abraham…We felt so happy to be able to do so despite the strict control by the Israelis soldier there, luckily S'pore have diplomatic ties with Israel or not we won’t be able to go there.

Directions: Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: Dormition Abbey	Tip Rating:

Updated By Sharon

on May 26, 2005

by Sharon
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According to the tradition Virgin Mary fell into eternal sleep on Mount Zion at this site. A Franciscans built a chapel over that site in the 14th century and It was erected in 1910 by the Emperor Wilhelm the II. It definitely has a look of a medieval fortress...

Directions: Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: Hike around the Wall...	Tip Rating:

Updated By Goner

on January 11, 2003

by Goner
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Map Showing the Outline
of the Wall

This impressive wall, designed like a Roman fortification, defines the Old City of Jerusalem. It was built between 1520 and 1566 by Sultan-Caliph Suleyman “the Magnificent” (who organized the vast Ottoman Empire). The ramparts were intended to protect Jerusalem from Bedouin raids or a Crusader offensive. It stands between 39 and 49 feet high and roughly 5,330 yards long with eight gates. In nearly five centuries, this wall has not changed significantly. It was built on top of the Herodian ramparts and this can be seen near the Damascus Gate. The Herodian ramparts are the large stone blocks weighing several tons, on top is the Ottoman construction. Walking around the entire wall is difficult as there are hills and many obtacles in the way.

Directions: Surrounds Old Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: Church of St. Peter (in Gallicantu)	Tip Rating:

Updated By jadedmuse

on March 23, 2008

by jadedmuse, 1 more photos
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Located on Mt. Zion just outside the Old City walls, “Gallicantu" means "at the crowing of the cock" and is traditionally held as the site where Peter denied Christ three times. (note: when David and I were walking up the hill to the church, we actually heard a rooster crow three times up to the point we finally reached the church. Coincidence?!) The church is also considered to be built over the house of the Jewish high priest Caiphus. (main photo shows the church at the top of the hill; second photo shows the interior where above the altar Christ is depicted in chains standing before the Sanhedrin as he is condemned.)

Directions: Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: A Model of Old Jerusalem	Tip Rating:

Updated By Goner

on July 24, 2003

by Goner
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Model of Jerusalem

The Holyland Model represents ancient Jerusalem during the rein of King Herod who was installed as the ruler of Judea by the Romans, at that time is was a large, prosperous and magnificent city, comprised of four quarters and had 70,000 inhabitants. The scale of the Holyland Model is 1:50 (2 cm. = 1m., 1/4 in. = 1 ft.). The model was produced using the same materials that were used in the times of the original construction, such as marble, stone, wood, copper and iron. The model was completed in 1969. The sources used in planning the model were the Mishna, the Tosephtha, the Talmud, the writings of Jesephus and the New Testament. The construction of the model is due to the initiative and resources of Mr. Hans Kroch. The archaeological and topographical data were supplied by Prof. M. Avi-Yonah, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, one of the foremost authorities on the subject. Visiting the model gives you great perspective of how beautiful Jersualem was so long ago.

Address: Nezer David street, Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem

Phone: Hotel 972-2-6437777

Directions: On the grounds of the Holyland Hotel


	Outside the Walls: Dormition Abby - 2	Tip Rating:

Updated By jadedmuse

on March 23, 2008

by jadedmuse
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Downstairs is a crypt representing the site where the Holy Mother Mary died - or fell into an eternal sleep (hence the name "Dormition"). All around the crypt are donated "chapels" from different nations, and the floor is decorated with names of saints and zodiac signs. It's kind of creepy, kind of cool...

Directions: Jerusalem


	Outside the Walls: Monastery of the Cross	Tip Rating:

Updated By leffe3

on June 13, 2006

by leffe3, 4 more photos
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Incongruous location - Ha'nasi Ben Zvi street is approximately 1-2 miles from the walled old city. Incongruous in that it looks like many of the desert monasteries to be found in the region and yet is now surrounded by the modern residential area of Jerusalem and is overlooked from the hill above the valley by the modern concrete blocks of the Israel Museum. But its well worth a visit. Open Mon-Fri, 10-4, it is highly likely that you'll get the place to yourself. Built on the site claimed to be the place where the tree that provided the wood for the cross for the crucifixion grew. The church is fabulous - mosiacs from Byzantine times, chandeliers form 17th century Russia. The woman who lets you in (a cast iron door about a foot thick and 4 foot high) gives you a quick explanation and then lets you wander round the church and rooftops on your own.

Address: H'nasi Ben Zvi


	Outside the Walls: Dormition Abby	Tip Rating:

Updated By jadedmuse

on March 23, 2008

by jadedmuse
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Located on Mt. Zion which is just outside Zion Gate (Old City). The first time I entered the Abby, the nuns didn't permit any photos to be taken. It was much more lax this last time - then again, we were the only ones there (December 2004). The church is located on the first floor and is worth a quick peek - but the main attraction awaits you downstairs. Note: if you have an itch to spend money, keep in mind the gift shop here is expensive - more so than any of the other religious gift shops I'd patronized. Also, be prepared to pay to use the bathroom (toilets) here!