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Monastery of the Cross

Jerusalem

Copyright: Alon Adika / Shutterstock.com
DESTINATIONS israel jerusalem Do & See Monastery of the Cross

Monastery of the Cross

An Eastern Orthodox Monastery, this Georgian-style building is said to be located where the head of the biblical ancestor Adam was buried. The origins of the foundation are mysterious, possibly dating back to the 4th century and Emperor Constantine's mother. Inside the church, you'll find colourful ceremonial art, Georgian frescoes and manuscripts, remains from the Crusade Era, and a small museum.

Useful Information

  • Address: Rehavia Valley (Valley of the Cross), Jerusalem
  • More Info: Bus line 15

Do & See

With spiritual milestones and millennia-old landmarks around every corner, Jerusalem is a labyrinth of things to do for sightseeing enthusiasts — exciting, but easily overwhelming.

Mahane Yehuda Market Copyright: illpaxphotomatic / Shutterstock.com
Mahane Yehuda Market
The most popular street market in Jerusalem, this busy place feels authentic: locals come to buy groceries and vendors are loud. Catch the opportunity to try out some reasonably-priced specialities from the food stands. Lately, the place has also become a vibrant nightlife hangout, with restaurants and live music. Mahane Yehuda is also called …
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Yad Vashem Copyright: Snowscat/Unsplash
Yad Vashem
This solemn memorial is Israel's tribute to the millions of Jewish victims of the Shoah and an intense, thought-provoking experience for visitors. The conceptual design conveys a striking feeling of how enormous the disaster was. The exhibits mix historical displays with personal testimonies and remains. Yad Vashem also hosts an important research …
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Israel Museum Copyright: Aleksandar Todorovic / Shutterstock.com
Israel Museum
This museum boasts a rich and informative series of exhibits, and it's very helpful in understanding the past and present of Jerusalem. The collection of Dead Sea Scrolls, hundreds of manuscript copies of the Bible found in Qumran, is astonishing. Moreover, you'll view the biggest exhibition of biblical archaeology in the world, a selection …
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City of David & Hezekiah's Tunnel Copyright: Sopotnicki / Shutterstock.com
City of David & Hezekiah's Tunnel
At the City of David, you can explore the remains of the oldest part of Jerusalem and walk through the meanders of a subterranean stream. The archaeological site spans two levels: an aboveground area and underground excavations. It is much older than Jerusalem's Old City, with the ancient Canaanites building it near the waters …
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Jerusalem Season of Culture Copyright: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
Jerusalem Season of Culture
The Jerusalem Season of Culture is a rich and fascinating festival that takes place every summer and lasts for an entire month. With its complexity and long history, Jerusalem becomes a vibrant, bustling stage for a wide range of events that gather musicians, DJs, visual artists, chefs, and many more. One of the main …
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Bible Lands Museum Copyright: Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com
Bible Lands Museum
The Bible Lands museum focuses on the history of various cultures listed in the Bible, mixing archaeological findings, information from sacred texts and historical research. You will see religious representations and funerary art as well as jewellery, secular artwork and everyday items. The collection is so extensive it can easily become overwhelming: it's best …
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Hebrew Music Museum Copyright: ismel leal pichs / Shutterstock.com
Hebrew Music Museum
The Hebrew Music museum is a different and lesser-known experience: its display of original ancient musical instruments is impressive, and it's accompanied by interactive content and fascinating historical information on Jewish diasporas. You can get to know the Jewish people's history through their musical tradition, which is quite an interesting perspective. It is also …
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Museum for Islamic Art Copyright: freebiespic/Pixabay
Museum for Islamic Art
The Museum for Islamic Art is a hub for beliefs, traditions and artwork of the Islamic civilisation. Nine different exhibitions display a limited but highly informative ensemble. One of the most interesting features is their rare collection of clocks, which counts more than 200 …
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Palestinian Heritage Museum Copyright: Yacoub Rabah / Shutterstock.com
Palestinian Heritage Museum
A visit to this museum is a good way to learn more about Jerusalem's culture and complexity. The exhibitions keep a memory of important personalities and dramatic events in the Palestinian community; they also preserve the people's material culture, such as traditional pottery, weaving and working tools, dresses, and jewellery. Ultimately, the museum is …
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Museum on the Seam
The past of Jerusalem is hugely fascinating, but the present is at least equally as important. Located on the very border between West and East Jerusalem, the Museum on the Seam provides great food for thought on contemporary social issues in the land. It has hosted exhibitions from some of the most important artists …
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Ades Synagogue Copyright: MstudioG / Shutterstock.com
Ades Synagogue
Lesser known by tourists, Ades Synagogue boasts typical, well-kept interiors, with chandeliers and a walnut ark inlaid with mother-of-pearl. If you're visiting in winter and you're interested in Jewish religious culture, come early on Saturday (Shabbat) morning and listen to bakashot, songs based on Kabbalistic …
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Mount of Olives & Garden of Gethsemane Copyright: ArtMari / Shutterstock.com
Mount of Olives & Garden of Gethsemane
According to the Bible and the Gospels, this is one of the holiest places in Jerusalem. The hill offers a beautiful view over the city and the Dome of the Rock — especially beautiful in the morning, with the sun on visitors' backs. The backstory is rough — allegedly, Jesus prayed here the night …
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Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu Copyright: Thomas Bormans/Unsplash
Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu
The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, a Byzantine-style Catholic church located on Mount Zion, offers stunning views of the City of David and the village of Silwan, a Palestinian community. The current building, which has some interesting decorations such as stained glass windows, was completed in the 1930s on the site of earlier …
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St Anne's Church Copyright: Zvonimir Atletic / Shutterstock.com
St Anne's Church
St Anne's Church was built by crusaders in the 12th century in a Romanesque style. Many pilgrims take advantage of the perfect acoustics inside and sing religious hymns. Hidden in the courtyard you'll find some remains of a Roman pagan temple. The church was a Muslim school for some time under the Saladin and …
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Dormition Church & Monastery Copyright: Rostislav Glinsky / Shutterstock.com
Dormition Church & Monastery
The Dormition Church and Monastery is an imposing, elegant complex just outside the Old City, near the Sion Gate. It belongs to Benedictine monks and showcases beautiful decorations and Romanesque revival architecture. The luxuriously decorated crypt celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to have happened …
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Monastery of the Cross Copyright: Alon Adika / Shutterstock.com
Monastery of the Cross
An Eastern Orthodox Monastery, this Georgian-style building is said to be located where the head of the biblical ancestor Adam was buried. The origins of the foundation are mysterious, possibly dating back to the 4th century and Emperor Constantine's mother. Inside the church, you'll find colourful ceremonial art, Georgian frescoes and manuscripts, remains from …
Read more
Herodian Quarter — Wohl Museum of Archaeology Copyright: InnaFelker / Shutterstock.com
Herodian Quarter — Wohl Museum of Archaeology
The Herodian Quarter Museum is a small but surprisingly well-preserved mansion from two thousand years ago. The house of a wealthy Jewish family until Titus's destruction in 70 AD gives a taste of what life of the richest was like in Jerusalem at the time. Tours and audio guides are …
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Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Centre Copyright: Dmitry Rozental / Shutterstock.com
Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Centre
The Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Centre comprises remains from the Second Temple era, 2,000 years ago. You'll admire columns, gates, streets, and the typical Jewish baths (mikve'ot). Audio guides and educational videos will help you understand the site's …
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Biblical Zoo & Tisch Zoological Gardens Copyright: Jessica Weiller/Unsplash
Biblical Zoo & Tisch Zoological Gardens
If you feel in need of a break from cultural sightseeing, find some natural beauty and light-hearted entertainment in this 62-acre-big zoo. Children will enjoy exploring the zoo and seeing the animals up close. The facility hosts a variety of endangered species. The zoo's main theme is peculiar: it focuses on animals mentioned in …
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Herodyon National Park Copyright: Dmitriy Feldman svarshik / Shutterstock.com
Herodyon National Park
The Herodyon National Park, not to be confused with the Herodian Quarter, is located on the top of a hill, and showcases what remains of Herod the Great's megalomania for palaces. It is the best place to combine a relaxing nature hike, some archaeological sightseeing, and a stunning natural environment: on sunny days, the …
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Monastery of Saint George of Choziba
For an off-the-beaten-path, adventurous, and possibly spiritual hiking trip, head to the Monastery of Saint George in the West Bank. Hidden in the rocky landscape and hanging solitary in the deep gorge of Wadi Quelt, it is a breathtaking destination. Hermits founded it in the 5th century, and it spreads over three floors, boasting …
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