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Jerusalem - The City of Gold“ Ten portions of beauty, God gave to the world; nine to Jerusalem and one to the remainder.”
History
Modern Jerusalem Today Jerusalem is a diverse and bustling city. As Israel’s capital it houses the Israeli house of parliament (Knesset) as well as most government offices. Many neighborhoods in the city are occupied by Ultra orthodox Jews (Haridim) who maintain a special and distinct lifestyle. The eastern city neighborhoods are mostly Muslim Arab or Christian Arab, and posses a special Middle Eastern feel. Jerusalem also boasts a modern and unique cinemateque, overlooking the old city. Many fine restaurants and cafes are scattered throughout Jerusalem’s old neighborhoods, catering to every taste. Special Sites |
Situated high in the Judean Mountains, Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel,
is one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, presenting a unique
combination
of history, spiritual sanctity and intriguing cultures. Jerusalem is one
of the
most famous cities in the world, being a holy site of all three major religions.
Built by King David three thousand years ago, it has played a major part
in the history of the world. Both Jewish temples were built in Jerusalem,
and
it was
the location of Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as the place
where Mohammed made his ascent to heaven. Modern Jerusalem reflects the
intensity of
its history in the myriad of cultures juxtaposed one upon the other in
this special city.
Jerusalem's history stretches back about 5,000 years, and the city
has been sought after by many. About 2500 BC, the Canaanites inhabited
the city. Then
King David
captured the city (c.1000 BC), he made Jerusalem the capital of his
kingdom. Later, King Solomon built the first Temple to house the Ark
of the Covenant.
The Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, led his army into Jerusalem
and captured the city in 597 B.C.E. He deported thousands of Jews and razed
the city
to the ground. Fifty years later (537 BC), CYRUS THE GREAT of Persia
conquered Babylonia
and permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
Persia
held the city until 333 BC, when Alexander the Great added Palestine
to his empire. Alexander the Great introduced Greek culture and ideals – Hellenism
which was forced on the Jewish population... The Jews rose up in 167
B.C.E. behind
Mattathias and his five sons and fought for their liberation. Three
years later, Jerusalem was recaptured from the Greeks by the Maccabees
and the Temple purified,
an event that gave birth to the holiday of Chanukah. The Roman Empire
invaded Jerusalem in 63 BC. The Romans set up a local dynasty, the house
of Herod, to
rule most of Palestine. During the reign of the Roman governor, Pontius
Pilate, Jesus Christ was tried and executed in Jerusalem. A major Jewish
revolt against
the Romans led to the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70.
Again, Jews were banished from Jerusalem. The city grew under Roman and
Byzantine
rule and
developed as a center of Christian pilgrimage. The Church of the
Holy Sepulcher and many other Christian shrines were erected during this
period.
Later the city
was captured by the Muslims and apart for a short period during the
Christian crusades stayed under Muslim rule until the rise of the Ottoman
Empire in 1517.
The British took control of Jerusalem in 1917 and it became part
of the British mandate imposed on Palestine. In 1948 during Israel’s
war of independence, Jerusalem was besieged by the Arab legions and when
the fighting ended
the city was divided between Israel (the western city) and Jordan
(the eastern
city and
the old city). During the Six Day War in 1967 the Jordanians were
pushed eastward past the Jordan River and the city was untied under Israeli
rule.