A family Trip in Jerusalem is a good idea anytime. Sukkot,
with the special activities and great weather is a good time to come to
Jerusalem and enjoy the sites that the city has to offer. You can spend a full
day and not finish everything, below and above ground and high on the walls,
and also in the evenings. That’s exactly what we did this Sukkot!
We started our trip in the afternoon, after the rain
stopped. This is what it is like during this time of the year, the rain takes
you by surprise. We were a couple with two teens, a challenge, as they are
impatient and prefer the fresh air over long explanations about history.
The Northern Wall Top Promenade
We went up to the walls near Jaffa Gate. The Southern part of the walls is nicer but
the Northern part also provides an opportunity to experience the ancient walls
and see the city from above (although sometimes it is just backyards). We aimed
to walk all the way to Tzidkiyahu’s cave in the fresh air instead in the crowd.
It is only a small section, the promenade continues all the way to the Lion’s
gate.
The entrance to the Northern Wall top promenade is adjacent
to the gate (on the other side of the David Citadel) near the information
center, where you can buy a ticket, entrance is via an automatic revolving
gate. The promenade is not accessible, there are many stairs and walking is on
rough terrain. It took us 15 minutes of relaxed walk to get to Damascus gate.
The view isn’t always the best but walking on the walls is fun and the teens
enjoyed it.
When we got off the walls we went out of the old city via
the Damascus gate and headed to the entrance to nearby Tzidkiyahu’s cave.
Tzidkiyahu’s Cave
Tzidkiyahu’s Cave is a huge man-made cave that was discovered
in 1854. It was mentioned in the bible during Tzidkiyahu’s time and his escape
from Jerusalem to Jerico.
The cave spans over 9000 square meters (more than 2 acres) and
is 250 meters (820 feet) long. The cave is lighted with soft lights.
The cave isn’t accessible, there are slopes and stairs. It
is nicest to get here for concerts but it is also nice as is.
The Market
We went back to the old city via Damascus gate and crossed
the market. Prices here are really cheap and you can also bargain. We went all
the way to the Cardo.
The Cardo
The Cardo is an old reconstructed part of the old street
from the Roman times. Today it hosts exhibitions and there are new mosaics of
the old market on the Eastern wall – very nice!
The Hurva Synagogue
The Hurva Synagogue is located right off the Cardo. I think
it is one of the must visit sites in the old city. The synagogue that was the
first Ashkenazi synagogue in Jerusalem was named Hurva (the ruins) because it
was bombed and stayed in ruins for decades. It was recently reconstructed as an
exact replica of the old synagogue.
The best view of the synagogue is from Ezrat Nashim (the women’s
section). Where you can also climb up to the roof and enjoy the beautiful view
of the surrounding from the balcony. Although access is via steep winding
staircase and it might be problematic for some people. You can read more about
it in the post The
Hurva Synagogue.
We continued from here to the Herodian Quarter
The Herodian Quarter – The Wohl Archeological Museum
Ten feet below the street level under the old city is where
the remains of the Jewish quarter were found. The quarter is where the Cohen’s
(the Jewish priests) used to live. The quarter is the remains of a very
luxurious house, which raises questions about their way of living in times when
the Jewish people was very poor and providing for them. You can read more about
it in the post about The
Herodian Quarter.
From here, you can continue to the Burnt House, which was
closed when we arrived, or to the Western Wall. We continued to the
Archeological Garden.
The Archeological Garden – Davidson Center
The Archeological Garden is right off the Western Wall, but
it is much lower in elevation, and in fact where the old street was during the
old days. Part of it is the old market street that used to stretch over one
kilometer from here north, all the way under where the old city is now (and
under the Western Wall plaza).
The Davidson Center museum is an impressive building built
on the archeological remains that were reconstructed and its architecture is
beautiful. It is the house of many
archeological artifacts such as jewelry and the original bullet of the king. In
a tour of audio and video it presents the history of old Jerusalem.
We ended our data at David Citadel lights and
Tower of David Night Spectacular Sound and Light show
There is something enchanting in lights and sounds in
archeological sites (this also makes visiting the archeological garden at
nights very special). The visual show at David Tower is a 45 minutes experience
starting with a walk to the little amphitheatre in the tower’s garden. Visitors
are walking among scenes presented with lights on the walls.
 |
| Tower of David at night |
The show itself is a high-quality projection of scenes from
the history of Jerusalem, presented on the walls of the citadel, 180 degrees
(or even more) of projection! The story itself is not unusual; it is the impressive
projection on the surrounding walls that is fascinating!
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| The Night Spectacular - Photo by Naphtale Hilger (no photography of the show, the photo courtesy of the Tower of David) |
Bring a sweater, it gets chilly here in the evenings.
Good to know
During the holidays, such as in Sukkot, there are many tours
of the Jewish quarter and great entrance deals such as family entrance. There
are also Segway tours and a new virtual escape room for the whole family, also rappelling
from the walls of Jerusalem.
Information
The Jewish
Quarter – The Cardo, The Hurva Synagogue, The Herodian Quarter, The
Archeological Park Davidson
East
Jerusalem Development (Hebrew) - The
Wall Top Promenade, Tzidkiyahu’s Cave
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