Amazing Facts About Jerusalem
For the three religions, it is a sacred city, a pilgrimage center and a place of worship. Learn Amazing facts about Jerusalem.
Jerusalem plays a central role in the spiritual and emotional perspective of all three major monotheistic religions
For Jews all over the world, it is the center of ancient longings, living proof of its former glory and independence, and the center of the national Renaissance.
For Christians, this is the scene of Jesus’ triumph.
And for Muslims, however, it is the destination of the Prophet Muhammad’s mystical journey and the site of one of Islam’s holiest temples.
The Dome of the Rock
On Temple Hill, Under the dome is the rock where, according to the Muslims, Abraham was about to sacrifice Ismael (for Christians and Jews, would be Isaac, the only son of Abraham) and where the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven. Centuries ago, the Temple of Solomon (960 BC) was built on this same site. In the 7th century, the Dome of the Rock was built to exalt Muslim superiority over Jews and Christians. Its beautiful mosaics with floral motifs and Phrases from the Quran stand out. At first, its dome was covered with gold; now it’s copper and aluminium. There are times and days set to visit the terrace. The access controls, commanded by the Israeli army, are very strict. For non-Muslims, it is not allowed to enter the shrine.
The Holy Sepulchre
Did you know that the guard of the door and the key to the Holy Sepulchre belong to two Muslim families? In addition, three religious rites are officiated here: Latin, Orthodox and Armenian. Therefore, every day, for the opening and closing of the temple is held a ceremony. The temple was built to commemorate and protect the site of Christ’s death and resurrection. Religions even share some spaces: the Chapel of Calvary (protects the point where the cross was nailed) belongs to the Orthodox Greeks and the chapel of the Crucifixion belongs to the Latins. The church is in restoration.
Christmas in Bethlehem
Bethlehem celebrates Christmas on three different dates: December 25, January 7 and 18, according to the Latin (Gregorian), Orthodox (Julian calendar) and Armenian rituals, respectively. During 20 days in the alleys of the old town is held a Christmas market, workshops, shows and other activities. Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the West Bank region.
The Basilica of the Nativity
It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2012. The oldest church in the Holy Land was built in 327, on the site where, according to tradition, Jesus was born. It was destroyed and later rebuilt in the year 540. The Byzantine temple is located in the city of Bethlehem, about nine kilometres from Jerusalem. Under the Altar of the Nativity, a silver star with 14 tips marks the exact point of birth.
What happened to the 10 Commandments?
The Temple of Solomon, also known as the Temple of Jerusalem, was built where today is the Esplanade of Mosques. He treasured the Ark of the Covenant: the chest with the Tablets of the Law or the 10 Commandments. After its destruction by order of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the ark disappeared. Now no one knows where it is.
The Western Wall
It is the holiest place of the Jews and a vestige of the wall surrounding the square where Herod “The Great” ordered the construction of the second Temple of Jerusalem (where Solomon’s Temple was). It is around 50 meters long and 20 meters up. There is a guided tour of the wall tunnels showing the rest of the structure. The pieces of paper between the stones of the wall, with requests and wishes written by Jews and Christians from all over the world, are collected every six months and buried in the cemetery of the Mount of Olives. Let’s continue to Amazing facts about Jerusalem..
The Dead Sea Manuscripts
They contain the oldest biblical texts found to date. The vast majority were written on papyrus (treated animal skin), in ancient Hebrew, between the 3rd century BC and i of our time. They are protected in the Israel Museum, recalling the domes of temples and imitating the lids of the pots where they were inside a building known as the Shrine of the Book. His architecture found these manuscripts.
The foamy Taybeh
Believe it or not, there is a Palestinian beer that can be found in Christian restaurants in Jerusalem: the Taybeh, founded in 1994, in the eponymous village within the West Bank (Muslim-majority territory).
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Holy Land and Science
Eight professors and researchers from the Hebrew University won the Nobel Prize.
The Old Town in numbers
In 1536 Solimán “El Magnifico” ordered the construction of its walls. It is 1 square kilometer in area. It is divided into 4 districts: Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian.
Mexico regrets
In October, Israel suspended its collaboration with UNESCO, following the resolution of this organization that eliminates the connection of the people of Israel with the Temple Mount (Esplanade of Mosques) and the Western Wall. Mexico was one of the countries that voted in favour of the resolution. Days later, he reconsidered his position and asked to change it to an abstention.
Quick Amazing facts about Jerusalem:
- Jerusalem’s Old City has a history that probably goes back more than 3,000 years.
- Jerusalem Day is Israel’s national holiday to commemorate the unification of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War.
- Jerusalem has been attacked 52 times, recaptured 44 times, besieged 23 times and destroyed twice in 3,000 years.
- There are several places of key religious importance in the old city: the Temple and Western Wall for Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and for Muslims, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Jerusalem is also considered the eternal capital of the Jewish community.
- Jerusalem’s Old City is divided into four parts: the Jewish quarter, the Armenian quarter, the Christian quarter, and the Muslim quarter.
- Jerusalem is mentioned more than 600 times in the Hebrew Bible, but not once in the Islamic Quran.
- Jerusalem is the third largest city in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
- There are more than 2,000 archaeological sites in Jerusalem.
- Today, Jerusalem is considered the capital by both Palestinians and Israelis. The United Nations does not agree with Israel that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.