My 12 Best Places in Jerusalem

My 12 Favorite Places in Jerusalem are close to each other. When I think of Jerusalem, my first thoughts are of Jesus and my Christian upbringing.  For me, the Best Places in Jerusalem are determined by my Christian beliefs. Having visited now, I realize there is much more to Jerusalem than I had originally thought. Jerusalem is the sum of its parts; it’s more than any one site. What makes Jerusalem so interesting is that there are Jewish, Christian and Muslim historical places to see all jammed together.

The Best Places in Jerusalem

During this Holy Week as I review my photos and reflect on my time in Jerusalem, I am humbled and awed by the sacrifice that I believe Jesus made to die for my sins. Walking in his hometown, his childhood home, seeing the places he preached, where he met with friends, where he gathered his disciples for the Passover meal and being in the Garden of Gethsemane are powerful and life-changing experiences.  Walk with me now, though the best of Jerusalem.

Church of All Nations

Dedicated to Christ’s sacrifice for humanity, all nations and me, this church represents the Passion of Christ and His agony. As you look through the window, above the altar you can see the scared points and intersection of the three great world religions.  The three religions are framed by the symbol of the cross, the sacrament of the Eucharist and twelve circles representing the twelve disciples.

Basilica of the Agony aka Church of All Nations

Best Places in Jerusalem – The World From the Top of the Wall

The location is where Christ was offered the world by Satan to bow a knee to him and save himself.  The Wall of Temptation or The Last Temptation of Christ.

The Last Temptation of Christ

Satan suggested that Christ jumps from a pinnacle and rely on angels to break his fall. The narrative of both Luke and Matthew has the devil quote Psalm 91:11-12 to show that God had promised His assistance. The devil implies that the passage may be used to justify presumptuous acts, while the Psalm only promises that God will deliver those who trust and abide in Him. Jesus believed his Father but didn’t want to save himself from his destiny. Source Wikipedia

In Jerusalem, guides say this is the pinnacle because at Christ’s time this is the point that represented a view of the world below.

The wall of Temptation

Best Places in Jerusalem – The Walled City of Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Wall where it is said, that Christ was offered the world to save himself.

The Garden of Gethsemane entrance. I love the Jerusalem Cross on the door

Best Places in Jerusalem – The Garden of Gethsemane

The Garden is a lovely place to rest. When you consider how busy the rest of Jerusalem is.  Jesus came here to pray with this disciples after the last supper.  The disciples could not stay awake while Jesus prayed.  It is also the place where Jesus was arrested and betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

Gethsemane

Best of Jerusalem –  Jewish Quarter

Best Places in Jerusalem – Dormition Abbey – Site of Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions

The room of Jesus’ Last Supper is also a mosque pointing to Mecca for Muslims

In the room of the Last Supper, people are overcome by emotions

Best Places in Jerusalem – King David’s Tomb and Burial Site

Mary’s Burial Tomb

Best Places in Jerusalem – Mary’s View from the Tomb

Mary’s view a gold mosaic of Jesus

Best Places in Jerusalem – Walk the Via Dolorosa

Walk the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus walked with the cross and experience the stations of the cross.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jesus Crucifixion Path

After the Cross – Washed for Burial

Best Places in Jerusalem – Holy Sepulchre

I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre several times throughout the day. The light in the church changed during the day and produced a different emotion each time I visited.  Tthe Holy Sepulchre is a sacred and spiritually important site for me. Visiting Jesus’s Jail is very moving.

Jesus’ Tomb

Best Places in Jerusalem – Inside the tomb

Jesus’ Tomb is in two locations – the Protestant outdoor location. The church is the second location.

Orthodox Tomb is here

The Women’s Gallery on the Top of the Church – Men and Women Pray Separated

 Best Places in Jerusalem – Merchants Set up Shop for the Day

If you go early in the morning, you will be able to see the streets the way the shopkeepers see them when they first arrive to open their shops. The streets are nearly empty early in the morning.

Spice market and merchant stalls – every Arab and Jewish food available

Best Places in Jerusalem – Dome of the Rock

I always wanted to see the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. I didn’t get to go inside either mosque on the site because I was not Muslim.  However, I did see the outside of the buildings, the complex and the barbed wire along the wall. See my previous story about Dome of the Rock ‘Jerusalem Complicated and Intense’ or search Jerusalem.

Best Places in Jerusalem

My ‘must see’ list of Best Places in Jerusalem is long. A one day visit will be a long day, and you will be exhausted by the end of the day. My “Best Places in Jerusalem”  is a divide and conquer list. There are many significant places to see in Jerusalem. It’s a tough assignment to see them all in one visit. My suggestion is to use this list on your first day. I believe these are the most significant sites to see. With more time you can go back to your favorite areas and see and experience a bit more.

Jerusalem isn’t the capital of the Israel, Tel

Jerusalem isn’t the capital of the Israel, Tel Aviv is the capital. But for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Jerusalem is the historical heart their religion. Jerusalem is certainly in Israel. But Jerusalem is connective tissue for all of us. Jerusalem is more about the experience than what you see.

My highlight reel of favorites is my ‘Best Places in Jerusalem.’ What are your favorites?  My 12 Best Places in Jerusalem are spiritually significant to me. I feel a spiritual connection to these locations and feel closer to my Christian heritage having seen them. When I visited these places from the Bible, the locations and the events became very real.

Wishing you Safe Travels!