Why Jerusalem’s Old City is Unique
May 29, 2012 1 Comment
It is holy to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – faiths that communally clinch faintly above half of the human race.
Jerusalem tips & insights
Religion viewpoints
The world’s three major religions view the significance of Jerusalem in three special ways:
Christians
It is where Christ was crucified and ascended to Heaven.
Jews
It is the home of the Wailing Wall (remains of the Second Temple).
Muslims
It is the site of the Temple Mount where the prophet Muhammad rose to Heaven.
Best known sites
Jerusalem’s many notable holy sites include the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount, the Wailing Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Jerusalem preservation
The old city has been preserved to retain much of its antiquated architectural character. This city in Israel is grandly enclosed by high, yellowish-limestone walls pierced by eight historic gates. Each of its four tradition-named residential quarters (Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim) has a twisting maze of narrow cobble-stoned streets.
History in brief
Jerusalem means City of Peace in Hebrew, but it hasn’t been exactly like that during its agitated 5,000-year history. Jerusalem has seen more than its fair share of fighting – by the Roman, Byzantine and Crusader forces, to name but three. The 20th and 21st centuries have witnessed the Arab-Israeli conflicts.
About Fr Stephen Smuts
I have quoted this before, but it fits in nicely here I think…
“The view of Jerusalem is the history of the world; it is more, it is the history of the of earth and of heaven.” (Benjamen Disraeli, 1804 – 1881, and one time British PM).