Excursion «Jerusalem & Bethlehem»

At this part of the city located  its main attractions are concentrated. In the Old City are the main shrines of three religions: Muslim, Jewish and Christian. There are also several quarters in which Jews, Arabs, Christians and Armenians live. Despite the fact that Armenians also are Christians, separate services are held for them in temples, and they live separately. In the Armenian quarter there are practically no tourist excursions. Everyone can see the stunning monuments of ancient architecture, just a walk through the Old Town. The Tower of David, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the preserved Roman shopping street, the Wailing Wall and many other sights of Jerusalem are open for tourists.

There are  a lot of biblical events associated with this place. Jesus Christ preached on Mount of Olives.  Moreover, at that place he foresaw the future of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, prayed in the olive grove of Gethsemane, was arrested due to the betrayal of one of his apostles - Judah. Also, in ancient times, the prophet Zechariah made a prediction about the end of the world. According to that predicition, Mount of Olives will split into two parts, and then the resurrection of the dead will begin. On the western slope of the mountain is a Jewish cemetery, where the son of King David Absalom was once buried, and now prominent statesmen of Israel are buried there.

On the way from the Roman praetorium to Calvary passed the mournful path of Jesus Christ.  Fourteen forced stops were made along the way, due to circumstances stopping the sad procession, now called stations. Small churches or chapels were built on the site of the first ten stations. The remaining four can be seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Having walked along the Way of the Cross, you can see and feel what Jesus had to endure.(In the excursion you will visit the last 5 points)

In the old part of the city of Jerusalem stands an ancient building that has survived for several thousand years, where the chamber of the Last Supper is located. On the ground floor of this building is the tomb of King David. He was a great king, the brightest figure of the Old Testament. He united Israel into a powerful, powerful state, making Jerusalem its main capital, and established the Ark of the Covenant on Mount Zion. Before his death, David handed over to his son Solomon the means and all the necessary drawings for the construction of the First Temple. He is revered both in Christianity, and in Judaism and in Islam.

Modern Bethlehem is located on the territory of the Palestinian Authority. The main population is Muslim Arabs and a small part of Christian Arabs. The main income of Bethlehem is the flow of tourists. Christian pilgrims from all over the world come to this city, the place where Jesus Christ was born. Every Christmas in Bethlehem Christmas masses are held snd the masses are broadcast around the world. The main shrine of the city is a silver star in the cave of the Church of the Nativity of Christ, which marks the place where Jesus was born. In this temple there is a miraculous icon of the smiling Mother of God, the cave of the Beaten Babies.

The Western Wall or the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is the wall preserved after the destruction of the First and Second Temples of the Jews. The Arabs, who saw how the Jews grieve over the destruction of the temple, called this place the Wailing Wall. Currently, there is a tradition: when you standing at the front of  Wailing Wall you can  make the most secret dreams. You can also put a note between the stones of the Wall with a cherished desire, which will certainly come true. When you are planning to visit the Wailing Wall, it should be remembered that this is possible only in modest clothing that covers the knees and shoulders.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Church of the Resurrection) - the main shrine and place of pilgrimage for all Christians around the world.  It is the place of the convergence of the Holy Fire, were Jesus Christ was crucified,  buried and resurrected. 

The Church of the Nativity of Christ was erected in Bethlehem above the cave where Jesus was born. Divine services at the Nativity Church have not practically interrupted since the Early Byzantine era. The modern building of the Church of the Nativity is the only Christian temple in Palestine, preserved from the pre-Muslim period.

Mount Zion

One of the most sacred places for the Jews. As in ancient times, now Zion is not just a mountain - it is a symbol of the house.

Once on this hill, located in the southwestern part of Jerusalem, there was a fortress. King David captured it when the city was conquered. Now there is part of the wall that separates the Old City.