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People have been writing about
Jerusalem for the better part of its 3000-year history, but still today your first glimpse inside the ancient walled city will leave you speechless.
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More than beautiful, however, Jerusalem is a spiritual centre, holy to the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
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That three religions have assigned so much importance to a solitary city makes Jerusalem one of the most
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fascinating places you’ll ever visit.
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Within a short walk of each other, you can find Christians quietly praying in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jews dancing by the Western Wall and Muslims prostrate before Al-Aqsa Mosque. Whatever your credence, it’s hard not to be swept up in the emotional tide that pulsates through these ancient streets. Defying warfare and time, Jerusalem’s architecture remains
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in remarkable shape – you could spend days (or weeks) getting lost in its labyrinth of alleys and bustling bazaars.
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The Old City is surrounded by relics of ancient and modern times. To the south lies the City of David (the original Jebusite city).
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Predominately Palestinian East Jerusalem is home to consulates, museums and the Garden Tomb (the possible crucifixion site),
while West Jerusalem has the Israeli capital building and a patchwork of secular and religious neighbourhoods.
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Jerusalem, or Al-Quds as its known in Arabic, has an inevitably powerful effect on its visitors, breeding political activism, religious fanaticism or simply a greater appreciation of the magnificent tide of human history. A quick run through the main tourist sights won’t do it justice, so plan on staying a while, and see what it does to you.
Show in Lonely Planet