Visiting Israel isn’t like traveling to just any country. No matter the religion you belong to, you can’t stay indifferent to Jerusalem, one of the holiest cities on earth. A pilgrim experiences a spiritual journey in Israel.
In the past, Israel wasn't as easy and accessible to pilgrims from every part of the world as it is nowadays. Those who made it were considered lucky. Today, going on a pilgrimage to Israel is much easier and less expensive. All you need is the guidance of a good travel agency in Israel and you are good to go.
Speaking of religions in Israel, almost 75% of the population are Jews, about 18% are Muslims, and 2% are Christians. Israel has many holy places, important for all these religions. The list includes sacred places in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
So let's read about pilgrimage to these 9 best places in Israel:
1. The Old City of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a holy city for three religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and there are many holy sites in it. The Old City is divided into four quarters: the Christian quarter, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter, and the Armenian quarter. There are 1200 sacred Jewish sites, 150 for Christians, and more than 70 sites for Muslims.
The history of Jerusalem starts in 1.00 BC when King David made Jerusalem the capital of Israel. The most important holy sites in Jerusalem are the Temple Mount, the Church of Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, King David’s Tomb, the Room of the Last Supper, the Church of the Domitian, the Dome of the Ascension, the Church of St. Mark, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations, and the Tomb of the Prophets.
2. Church of the Holy Sepulchre
This is one of the holiest places for Christian believers as this is where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. For six centuries, Christians have dominated the church, while a Muslim family owns the key to the church. This is the most sacred place for the Christian community in the world.
The church holds the tomb of Jesus, the Stone of Unction, the site where Jesus was crucified, and the Angel’s Stone that was used to close the entrance to the tomb of Jesus.
3. Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa is a 500-meter long route going through the Christian and Muslim quarters. It is the same path that Jesus was forced to take on his way to crucifixion. Via Dolorosa is the most popular holy site in Jerusalem and has 14 Stations of the Cross. The Muslim quarter contains the longer part of the route, while the shorter part is in the Christian quarter.
4. King David’s Tomb
The second king of the ancient kingdom of Israel, King David is buried on Mount Zion located just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The tomb of King David in Jerusalem is a sacred Jewish place of worship and one of the famous touristic and holy places in Israel.
The Room of the Last Supper is just above the tomb of King David. The room is also known as the Cenacle room, one of the most sacred sites in Israel. This is the same room where Jesus washed the feet of his apostles and had his last meal with them the night before he died.
5. Mount Zion
The Church of the Domitian and the Dome of Ascension are also holy places in Israel. The church is believed to be where Virgin Mary fell asleep and dies, and the dome on Mount Zion is where Jesus ascended to heaven.
After the Muslim sultan, Saladin, defeated the Crusaders, the church was converted into a mosque.
6. Basilica of Agony
The Basilica of the Agony, also knows as the Church of All Nations lies next to the Mount of Olives in the garden where Jesus prayed all night long before he was arrested and crucified. The church was built on the rock where Jesus prayed before he was betrayed by Judas.
7. Bethlehem
Bethlehem means ‘the city of bread’ in Hebrew. It contains a few religious sites for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This makes it one of the holiest cities of Christianity. For Jews, it’s the birthplace of King David, the second king of ancient Israel.
Other holy places in the city are the Church of the Nativity, the Church of Saint Catherine, The Chapel of the Milk Grotto, and Rachel’s Tomb.
The Milk Grotto is a sacred place for Christians. It is where a drop of Mary’s milk fell as she was fleeing from the Roman soldiers while nursing baby Jesus. This is a site of pilgrimage for women who are struggling to conceive a child.
8. Nazareth
Nazareth is one of the holiest places in Israel. It’s a Christian city where Jesus Christ lived with his mother Mary and Joseph after coming back from Egypt. The religious sites here include the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Church of St. Joseph, the Synagogue Church, Mary’s Well, and the Church of the Transfiguration.
The Basilica of the Annunciation is built over the cave where the Virgin Mary used to live and where the angel Gabriel appeared, announcing to her the birth of Jesus Christ.
9. Church of Saint Mark
The Church of St. Mark is a Syriac Orthodox church. The Syriac Christians are early followers of Christianity. The church is an autonomous institution and does not belong to Rome or Constantinople. This is one of the most beautiful churches you can find in Israel and a religious site that you shouldn’t miss.
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