destroyed and rebuilt Throughout its more than five thousand years of history, Jerusalem is one of the cities Older of the world. Its important legacy has made it become a holy city for the three main monotheistic religions of the world (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), for which an indescribable spiritual energy emanates that catches both believers and non-believers.
Beyond religion and mysticism that surrounds its wall, is a city in constant ferment, where you can find a great variety of art Plans, gastronomic and cultural with which to finish succumb to its magnetism. 48 hours in Jerusalem go a long way, yes.
Old City of Jerusalem.
DAY 1: THE ORIGIN OF EVERYTHING IN THE OLD CITY
Just under an hour from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv , Jerusalem rises above the mountains of Judea, between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean, resplendent thanks to its white stone buildings and the Dome of the Rock.
The walls, built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, are the best point to start our visit. With 4.5 kilometers long, 12 meters high and 34 watchtowers offer great views from the city on a 1.5 kilometer route that predicts all the wonders, ancient and modern, that we are about to go through. Around, seven doors give access to four very different neighborhoods: Jewish, Armenian, Arab and Christian. An eighth gate, the Golden Gate, the oldest entrance, has been walled up since the sultan ordered it in 1541.
Wailing Wall, Jerusalem.
We access the old city through the jaffa gate transporting us in time and in history. The aroma of spices and incense permeates the atmosphere and the spirituality It invades every corner. the sound of the shofar (Jewish ram turned into a wind instrument), the call to prayer, the songs of the faithful and the bustle of the bazaars they compose the melody of Jerusalem bewitching from the first note that reaches our ears. In just the square kilometer that makes up the old city, we can perceive the infinity of sensations what makes this unique Holy city.
an important heritage spreads across your whitish alleys winding between history and faith and surviving the centuries and destruction. And it is that Jerusalem has been 20 times besieged, 12 destroyed and 50 captured.
Among yarmulkes, turbans, shtreimels and hats we blend in with the environment to absorb all its magnetic passion, the one that resounds in the worn stones of the Wailing Wall, the only bastion that resisted the destruction of the Second Temple. Among its nooks, thousands of Jews and travelers They leave prayers every day.
Jerusalem from a bird's eye view.
Of wailing wall o Western Wall there is only 60 meters visible, that are divided by sex, each part with full shelves of copies of the Torah and chairs to pray in front of it, but in reality it has a total of 488 meters in length covered by the facades of the Muslim quarter. They got up over bows to keep the city at the same height. For delve into the wall and discover all the surprises that its layers of history keep, it will be interesting to descend into the tunnels of the Kotel and also visit the Davidson Archaeological Center.
behind the wall, the dome of the rock illuminates the center of Jerusalem with its gold cover. To see it, you will have to go to the Esplanade of the Mosques, accessing a catwalk next to the wall, but not before checking their limited Schedule.
Following the Painful way, which runs between the souks of the Muslim quarter first and the Jewish quarter afterwards, we will arrive at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest places in Christianity. It rises above the point where, according to the Christian faith, Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and risen.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
Giving an example of the religious coexistence of Jerusalem, the church is guarded by six Christian communities: Franciscans, Armenians, Greek Orthodox, Copts, Ethiopians and Syrians that make it more spiritual if possible. Under dim light smell of incense, chants and prayers unleashes a overwhelming mystical explosion that explains why so many people feel affected by the Jerusalem syndrome.
The Holy Sepulcher has several entrances, but perhaps the most unexpected is that of the Coptic Church of St. Helen, located on the roof of the basilica. At the front door, on the other hand, what will surprise you will be the old staircase leaning on its facade from 1757. Being located in a common area of the temple, no cleric has dared to Modify your location.
We will continue for the Cardo, Roman-Byzantine road that, crossing the Old City, continues carrying out the activity commercial from its beginnings (1st century BC). After leaving it behind, we will arrive at the Cenacle, a simple vaulted room where, according to Christianity, the Last Supper of Jesus with the apostles. On the ground floor of the same building is the King David's tomb.
Spice merchant in the alleys of Jerusalem.
When your appetite strikes, it will be the perfect occasion to try local products such as falafel, hummus, shawarma, sakshuka or pita bread accompanied by pomegranate juices freshly squeezed. Between the restaurants and street stalls authentic highlights of old Jerusalem Lina's Restaurant thanks to its tasty humus.
To enjoy the sunset to the beat of the call to prayer, we will get one of the best views of the Old City from the terrace of one of the houses that rise between the hidden alleys in front of the Wailing Wall. You just have to accept the invitation of a local and bargain the price previously. Another option will be to go up to the viewpoint of the Mount of Olives, one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in the world. Next to him is the Garden of Gethsemane, with eight thousand-year-old olive trees.
When the night falls, play relive history through the sound, light and color of the Tower of David, where images are projected that tell the 3,000 years of Jerusalem.
Basilica of Gethsemane, Jerusalem
DAY 2: MODERN JERUSALEM
Both the old city and the walls of Jerusalem are World Heritage since 1981, but beyond its historic stones, the contrasts continue to occur. Near the New Gate is Notre Dame de Jerusalem, which in addition to representing the Vatican in the Israeli city, has a hotel and a pleasant terrace. Continuing through Jaffa Street, Mamilla Mall, Zion Square and the Ben Yehuda Street, star in the lively evenings of the city.
Further south, we come to the artist colony Hutzot Hayotzer, where artisans from different origins shape the country's tradition through their products. A few minutes' walk away, Montefiore Winery offers tastings of local wines under an old mill and in front of the impressive views of the Mount of Olives.
At lunchtime we go to Mahane Yehuda Market, located in the Nachlaot neighborhood, north of the city. The fruits and vegetables They fill their stalls with color. In them it is possible to find almost any product, whether it is food or not. At night, the gastronomy takes on special relevance and many of the establishments are transformed into culinary stalls. A few steps from the neighborhood of mea shearim stops time. It is very interesting to walk through its streets to surround yourself with the ultra-orthodox Jewish culture.
In case we have time left over, we should give it to the Israel Museum, located on the outskirts of Jerusalem and classified as one of the main art and archeology institutions Worldwide. It exhibits a copy of the first biblical texts found in the Dead Sea.
We hurry these 48 hours in Jerusalem with some nights that, in addition to living in the Mahane Yehuda market, vibrate in the shops, cafes and restaurants from The First Train Station, one of the few places open on Saturdays. The place owes its name to the old train station which connected Tel Aviv with Damascus and that was transformed into a leisure space in 2013.