Tour of the Temple Mount, Jewish Quarter, and City of David | Fascinating History
Technical details
Tour times
Sundays, 7:30
Tour duration: 8-9 hours.
*Visit to the Temple Mount is subject to Israel Police guidelines, which change from time to time.
Price
Meeting point
Meeting point: Jaffa Gate.
End point: Western Wall Square, you can return on foot to Jaffa Gate. Or use convenient and available public transportation.
An unforgettable journey in the heart of Jerusalem, where history, culture, and spirit merge together!
Temple Mount- We will discover the holiest place in Israel. We will understand the meaning and importance of the site to the three religions.
The Jewish Quarter- We will stroll through the charming alleys of the district where history meets modern life.
City of David- The place where it all began. We will see artifacts that are thousands of years old and walk through a waterhole from the 8th century BC.
Tour structure:
We will ascend to the Temple Mount via the Mughrabi Ascent - the largest ritual complex in antiquity.
In accordance with police guidelines, there is no entry to the Temple Mount buildings, but we will see them from the outside:
◀ Museum of Islam.
◀ Al-Aqsa Mosque.
▶ The Dome of the Rock.
◀ The dome of the triangle.
◀ Gate of Mercy and more.
We will tell the very special story of this place where various traditions are intertwined.
In Jewish tradition
◀ This is the place where the creation of the world began.
▶ The Binding of Isaac,
◀ The place where the two temples were built.
▶ And to him the Messiah will come on the Day of Judgment
In the Muslim tradition
◀ This is the place from which Muhammad ascended to heaven to receive the commandment of prayer.
▶ It is the third holiest place in Sunni Islam.
In the Christian tradition
Some of the defining stories in Jesus' life happened on the Temple Mount.
The largest ritual complex in antiquity, the oldest standing Muslim structure in the world, the place that everyone talks about but still holds so many secrets.
The Jewish Quarter: We will visit the Jewish Quarter, which combines old and new.
We will walk through the alleys where the residents of the neighborhood live. And we will move between the galleries, cafes and street art.
We will also visit the Jerusalem of Meta: The ancient sites of Jerusalem that were uncovered, were excavated and opened to the public underground. Among other things, we will visit the Cardo Street between 1900 years, the Ruin Square, the Tzuf Davsh Synagogue, the Batei Machsha Square and more.
The City of David: The place where it all began. Perhaps the most interesting archaeological site that opens a window into life in ancient Jerusalem.
The City of David: The place where it all began. Perhaps the most interesting archaeological site that opens a window to life in ancient Jerusalem more than 3,000 years ago.
◀ We will visit King David's Palace.
▶ We will descend underground to the city's ancient water systems.
◀ We will walk through the Shiloah Well: a 533-meter-long water well that was carved 2,700 years ago and the water still flows in it (the water at its deepest reaches knee height).
◀ We will end at the Pool of Siloam, which is being excavated these days, and we will see part of the Pilgrimage Route – the street that the Jews took to the Temple Mount during the days of the Second Temple.
Davidson Center Archaeological Park - The Story of the Destruction of the Second Temple
Return to the City of David Visitors Center (by shuttle) from where we pass through an underground passage to the Davidson Center Archaeological Park where we will see one of the most fascinating sites in the country that tells the story of the destruction of the Second Temple.
Guide details:
Yoav Rotem
◀ A resident of Nachlaot, lives and breathes Jerusalem.
◀ Travels and guides a diverse audience from Israel and around the world.
◀ Graduate of the tour guide course at the Jerusalem School of Tourism and a bachelor's degree in history.
◀ Brings experience and knowledge alongside high training ability that is expressed in enthusiasm, humor, and the ability to adapt to any group.
Additional information and frequently asked questions
Breaks
For those interested, there will be breaks in the Jewish Quarter and the City of David Visitors Center.
Equipment required for visiting the Temple Mount
Required equipment: For the purpose of visiting the Temple Mount, modest clothing must be worn and religious objects, weapons, any musical instruments, etc. must not be brought. More detailed information will be provided upon registration.
