Excursion «233. In the footsteps of the Resurrection: the main shrines of Jerusalem in one day»

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.

The Garden of Gethsemane is well knowen from biblical stories.  At that place  Jesus Christ prayed before one of his apostles, Judas, betrayed him.  It is a small fenced garden with olive trees, which, suggested to be dumb as a  witnesses of events unfolding on the night after the Last Supper. On the territory of the garden was built the Church of All Nations at the beginning of the 20th century.  When it began to be erected, the ruins of the Byzantine church and the chapel of the crusaders were found in that place. The church got its name for the reason that 12 Catholic communities from around the world donated money for its construction. His main shrine is the stone on which Jesus prayed that terrible night. There are no statues in the church, no daylight. But there are mosaics that depict the prayer of Christ, the kiss of Judas and the subsequent capture of Jesus.

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.

Russian Orthodox Ascension Monastery stands on the Mount of Olives.
At the entrance to the Church of the Ascension, you can see the most important shrine of this place - the stone of the Virgin (it is believed that standing on it  Virgin watched the Ascension of the Lord).
Located in the monastery, the bell tower of John the Baptist (sixty-four meters in height) has an observation deck. Climbing up the many steps to the top of the bell tower, the gaze offers a breathtaking view of Jerusalem. This bell tower is the highest point of the Mount of Olives. Back in the twentieth century, archaeologists during excavations in the monastery discovered mosaics, various utensils, as well as a bust of Herod the Great. The monastery is interesting for tourists as a historical, religious and archaeological site.

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.