Visiting Old City Jerusalem

This post contains editorial samples and/or affiliate links to products I recommend. While this adds no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission on any sales made.

Visit IsraelA trip to Israel for Families must include a day at Old City Jerusalem.

This iconic part of Israel is a must for travelers — there is so much to see and do there!

Visiting Old City Jerusalem

When planning a visit to Old City Jerusalem, I would highly recommend hiring a tour guide. There are many historical and holy sites to see and it is easy to get lost. The city is divided among different quarters — Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian — and tour guides know which areas are safe and which are not.

We visited Old City Jerusalem on Shabbat, so many of the museums and tourist sites were closed. I want to share some of the places that we were able to visit with you, though.

Before entering the gates, you must first stop at Mount Zion. Located just outside the city walls, here you’ll find King David’s Tomb and the Abbey of the Dormition.

King David’s Tomb

King David’s Tomb is a Jewish holy site that is still used as a synagogue. We visited on Shabbat, so we were unable to take photographs inside. The tomb is separated by a wall, with men allowed on one side and women on the other. There were people praying and worshiping inside.

Abbey of the Dormition

Abbey of the Dormition

The Abbey of the Dormition is a Christian holy site, where you can visit the Room of the Last Supper and Mother Mary’s Tomb.

Room of the Last Supper Room of the Last Supper

Inside you can find the Room of the Last Supper, where Jesus and his disciples dined before he was crucified. The room is fairly empty, but you can just imagine a long table filled with food with the Savior seated with his disciples.

As with many parts of Jerusalem, you will find aspects of other religions among holy sites. For instance, the Room of the Last Supper was used as a mosque during the Jordanian occupation of Mount Zion, and there are still aspects of it there today.

Abbey of Dormition Abbey of Dormition

It is said that Mary, Mother of Jesus, died near the site of the Last Supper, and the Abbey of Dormition was built to commemorate her death and the holy site. “Dormition” means to fall asleep, or die. You can visit Mary’s tomb in the lower levels of the abbey.

When you have toured Mount Zion, it’s time to enter the Old City. We entered at Zion Gate.

Zion Gate JerusalemZion Gate Jerusalem

You can see the bullet holes that litter the city walls. Zion Gate leads to the Jewish quarter and is a safe part of the city to enter.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This Christian church contains two of the holiest sites in the Christian faith: the place where Jesus was crucified and his empty tomb.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

At the entrance, you will find the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus’ body is said to have been anointed before burial. Pilgrims come to lay upon the stone and pray.

The Altar of the Crucifixion

The Altar of the Crucifixion houses the Rock of Calvary, which is the rock on which it is said that Jesus’ cross was raised. Pilgrims wait hours to climb inside the altar to view the rock.

Holy SepulchreHoly Sepulchre

Jesus’ tomb, or the Holy Sepulchre, has two parts — first, the Angel stone, which is said to be part of the rock that was rolled away to reveal his empty tomb, and the tomb itself. Pilgrims wait to enter to touch the tomb. Just standing outside it was so moving for me.

Western Wall

The Western Wall

A visit to Old City Jerusalem is not complete without a stop at the Western Wall. This wall is the closest that Jews can come to Temple Mount to pray. It is forbidden for Jews and Christians to pray on Temple Mount — only Muslims are permitted to do so.

The Western Wall

You can write a prayer on a piece of paper and roll it and place it in the wall. There is an area of the wall for men to pray and a separate area for women to pray.

These are just a few of the sites that you can visit in Old City Jerusalem. There is so much history there!

 

Don’t miss our other Israel for Families adventures!