Jerusalem – A Short Historical Overview

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is perched on a plateau in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and holds profound religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Throughout its long and tumultuous history, Jerusalem has been destroyed, besieged, captured, and recaptured by various empires and kingdoms.

The earliest known mention of the city appears in ancient Egyptian texts from the 14th century BCE, where it is referred to as “Urusalim”—likely meaning “City of Shalem,” a Canaanite deity. In Hebrew, one interpretation of the name is “Yeru-Shalem,” meaning “God is complete” or “City of Peace.”

During the Israelite period, major development in Jerusalem began in the 9th century BCE. By the 8th century BCE, the city had become the religious and administrative heart of the Kingdom of Judah under King David and his son, King Salomon (Shlomo in Hebrew), who expanded its influence and built the First Temple.

In 1538 CE, the current walls of the Old City were rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent, ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Since 1860, Jerusalem has expanded well beyond those walls. As of 2025, Jerusalem has a population of just over one million. Approximately 47% are ultra-Orthodox Jews, 24% are religious (modern Orthodox), 15% are secular Jews, and the remainder are Christians and Muslims.

Jerusalem’s Givat Ram: Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Knesset & Science Museum

Drive just 5 minutes from Jaffa Gate, and you’ll land in Givat Ram—home to some of Jerusalem’s most iconic landmarks. Start at the Israel Museum, right across from the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). Explore its highlights: walk through the stunning sculpture garden, check out the detailed 1:50 model of Second Temple-period Jerusalem, and don’t miss the rotating modern exhibitions. The real showstopper? The Shrine of the Book. It displays the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 1940s in the Qumran Caves, and the Aleppo Codex (Keter Aram Tzova)—the oldest known Hebrew Bible canonical manuscript. Love history or archaeology? This place is a must-visit.

Download the museum’s free app for audio explanations—it’s included in the NIS 45 (~$12) entry fee.

A 10-minute walk away, you’ll hit the Bloomfield Science Museum. It brings science to life with hands-on exhibits about everyday topics like sustainabity, agriculture, energy, and electricity. It’s a hit with kids (especially under age 7). Tickets cost NIS 49 for adults and NIS 35 for kids.

Jerusalem’s Israel Aquarium

Visit Jerusalem’s Israel Aquarium in the Malcha neighborhood for a fun and educational family adventure. Kids will be amazed by the vibrant marine life and learn how they can protect Israel’s unique aquatic ecosystems.

The aquarium showcases the fascinating life of Israel’s four seas — the Mediterranean, Sea of Galilee, Dead Sea, and Red Sea — each with its own distinct marine environment. Through interactive exhibits, children discover how to combat sea pollution, prevent overfishing, and understand the impact of invasive species on local sea life.

The visit takes about an hour and includes a short film about marine conservation. Tickets cost 54 ILS for adults and 45 ILS for children. While you’re in the area, you can easily add a stop at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, located just 1 km away.

Is this a must-visit? Absolutely — if you’re visiting with kids. But if you’re looking for a more adult-level marine experience, head to Underwater Observatory in Eilat.

Jerusalem’s Machne Yehuda market

Jerusalem’s Machne Yehuda Market is a must-visit! Over the past 20 years, it transformed into a hipster hotspot packed with tourists. You’ll discover hidden pubs, oriental cookie shops, and exotic stalls with mind-blowing flavors. We grabbed a table at “Mordoch,” a legendary Jewish Iraqi/Kurdish kitchen, and devoured their unique Kube soup—it blew our minds. Expect a 15-minute line during peak hours, but trust me, it’s worth it. A meal for two costs around $35, and the service? Super friendly and welcoming.

Don’t leave Machne Yehuda market without eating at “Ishtabach” (Hebrew for “A man who cooks”)—they bake fresh “HasheMvorach” pastries in a taboon, stuffed with crazy delicious fillings. Pure yum! Another must-try is “Sima,” a classic Middle Eastern grill restaurant that serves juicy meats you’ll crave long after.

Jerusalem Old Train Station

Jerusalem’s Old Train Station, known as “The Tahana,” is a vibrant spot you just can’t miss! Nestled between Hebron and Bethlehem Roads, near the German Colony, it once served the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway until closing in 1998. After years of neglect, it got a fresh new life in 2013 and now buzzes with festivals, concerts, art exhibitions (like Da Vinci’s 500th anniversary), and more. This open-air hotspot is buzzing with cafés, restaurants, and cultural events — second only to Machne Yehuda’s legendary vibe.

“Adom” is the crown jewel—if you’re in Jerusalem, it’s a must! The Tahana is open all week, so there’s always something happening.

Zedekiah’s (Tzidkiyahu) Cave

Zedekiah’s Cave, also known as Solomon’s Quarries, unfolds beneath the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City as a vast and silent underworld of meleke limestone. Spanning approximately ten dunams, this ancient quarry is steeped in both history and legend. Its name is traditionally linked to King Zedekiah (Tzidkiyahu), the last independent king of Judah, who, according to tradition, sought to escape the Babylonian conquest through this hidden passage. His flight ended near Jericho, where he was captured; his sons were executed before him, and his eyes were taken—an enduring tragedy said to echo in the cave’s gentle droplets, believed to be his eternal tears.

Carved gradually over thousands of years, the quarry forms one of Jerusalem’s largest subterranean spaces. Its modest entrance lies beneath the city wall, between Damascus Gate and Herod’s Gate, leading into a descending corridor that opens into a vast, cathedral-like chamber stretching nearly 100 meters in length.

Scholarly debate surrounds its origins. Some traditions associate the quarry with the First Temple, suggesting that King Solomon himself sourced its stones—an idea supported in part by Cherub carvings attributed to that era. Yet archaeologist Gabriel Barkay proposes a later dating, linking the quarry more convincingly to the Second Temple period, when its stones were likely used extensively in Jerusalem’s monumental construction.

Sealed in the 16th century by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who sought to prevent potential intrusion after rebuilding the city walls, the cave remained hidden for centuries. Rediscovered in the early 20th century, further excavated after Jerusalem’s reunification in 1967, and opened to the public in the 1980s, it endures today as a place where history, legend, and quiet mystery converge beneath the sacred city.

Ketef Hinnom Scrolls

Ketef Hinnom is a burial site dating to the First Temple period, around the 7th century BCE. It lies on a hillside southeast of the Valley of Hinnom, just 300 meters from the historic Ottoman train station, beneath the foundations of St. Andrew’s Scottish Church. There, in 1979, excavations led by Prof. Gabriel Barkay (1944–2026) brought to light the remarkable Ketef Hinnom Scrolls.

Fashioned in silver and tightly wound, the fragile scrolls seemed almost too delicate for human hands; two museums declined the daunting task of opening them. Only at the Israel Museum were they finally unrolled, with extraordinary patience and care.

Inscribed upon them were verses from Chapter 6 of the Book of Numbers and from Chapter 7 of the Book of Deuteronomy—

thus the ancient Jewish Priestly Blessing, words still recited to this day. Dating some five centuries earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, these inscriptions are the oldest known canonical biblical texts, preserving a living echo of faith across millennia.

The site itself is modest in size, yet immense in archaeological and historical significance. Entry is free.

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens (JBG), Israel’s largest, is a green gem right in the heart of the city. It’s not just a garden—it’s a hub for conservation, education, and community life. You’ll stroll through plant zones from around the world: Southern Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, plus tropical greenhouses and desert-dry zones. The garden mimics each region’s natural vibe, so there’s always something blooming, no matter when you visit.

We arrived in February and hit the jackpot—the entrance pond was alive with frogs in full mating concert (jumping and croaking non-stop!). The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, two months ahead of Japan, so we took a quiet moment in the onsite Buddhist shrine for a peace wish. And yes, you could enjoy one at the garden’s outdoor cafés or at the indoor café by the entrance.

Entrance is 35 shekels per adult, open daily. Plan for a 1-3 hour relaxed walk. Guided English tours for small groups are available—just book ahead. Nature lovers, this place is a must!

“Oskar Schindler’s” grave

Just outside Jerusalem’s Old City, near Zion Gate, we visited Oskar Schindler’s grave at the Roman Catholic cemetery on Ma’aleh HaShalom Road. You know the story—Schindler, the German industrialist from Schindler’s List, who risked everything to save 1,200 Jews during WWII by employing them in his factories.

In 1944, as the Nazis began shutting down camps and sending prisoners to Auschwitz, Schindler pulled off a miracle. He convinced SS commander Amon Göth to transfer his Jewish workers and factory to Brněnec, Moravia, saving them from certain death. He protected them until the war’s end in May 1945.

Schindler was recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations” and was laid to rest here in 1974. The cemetery itself is sadly neglected, but standing by his grave is a humbling experience. This hero deserves a proper memorial—hopefully, the authorities will step up soon.

Jerusalem German Templer’s colony

We kept strolling southwest, just a 10-minute walk downhill from Schindler’s grave and then a short climb up towards the Old Ottoman Train Station. The area is buzzing with restaurants and cafés. We grabbed dinner at “Adom” — and wow, it was worth every shekel! A meal for two came to 250 shekels, and we left happy and full.

Right after the station, you’ll find Emek Refaim Street (which means “Ghost Valley” in Hebrew). This charming street was once the heart of Jerusalem’s German Templer Colony, one of seven such colonies in Israel. Wandering here is a treat—there’s so much history mixed with modern vibes. You can read more in our detailed post about the Templers!

Mishkanot Sha’ananim & Yemin Moshe

We wrapped up our walking tour at Mishkanot Sha’ananim and Yemin Moshe, the first Jewish neighborhoods built outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls. Founded in 1862 by Sir Moses Montefiore, these areas tell the story of Jerusalem’s early expansion. Montefiore’s most iconic contribution—the windmill—still stands tall, just a 250-meter stroll from the German Colony.

Montefiore was a true 19th-century celebrity philanthropist who supported Jewish communities worldwide, especially during his 7th visit to Israel, focusing on the four holy cities: Jerusalem, Tiberias, Safed, and Hebron.

–

Before you finish your church-hopping, don’t miss Notre-Dame de Sion at the top of Ein Karem’s hill. The view is breathtaking, the gardens are immaculate, and there’s a peaceful vibe you’ll instantly feel. They offer a pilgrim guesthouse (simple but charming), but if you’re after a boutique luxury stay, the Alegra Hotel is your perfect spot.

St. George’s Monastery – Wadi Qelt’s Hidden Treasure

St. George’s Monastery, a stunning Greek Orthodox gem, clings to the cliffs of Wadi Qelt in the Prat River National Park near Jericho. Reaching it is an adventure! First, you’ll drive from Jerusalem towards the Dead Sea on Route #1. After about 15 minutes, turn left just before entering the Jewish settlement of Mitzpe Jericho. At the T-junction, hang a right and continue for another 5 minutes on a narrow desert road.

Keep your eyes open—the first or second hill marked with an iron cross is your cue to park. From there, the real journey begins: a scenic footpath that winds its way down to the monastery, rewarding you with breathtaking views along the way.

Where to Stay in –  Jerusalem Hotels Tips You’ll Love

Jerusalem can’t be done in a day. With so much to see, staying a few nights is a must! We stayed at the Biazi Boutique Hotel, just a 15-minute stroll from Jaffa Gate and one of Jeruslam hotels finest . Fun fact: this cozy spot used to be a bakery, and all the suites are named after cakes. We picked the “Honey Cake” suite—luxurious, quiet, and definitely a sweet deal for the price.

Here’s our curated list of Jerusalem’s top hotels, with special deals for Christmas, Easter, and year-round offers. Perfect if you’re in the mood to treat yourself—while staying just minutes from the city’s vibrant buzz.