5. Follow the Route of the Via Dolorosa
For many Christian visitors, the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) is the highlight of a visit to Jerusalem.
This walk follows the route of Jesus Christ after his condemnation as he bears his cross towards execution at Calvary.
The walk is easily followed independently, but if you’re here on a Friday, you can join the procession along this route led by the Italian Franciscan monks.
The course of the Via Dolorosa is marked by the fourteen Stations of the Cross, some of which are based on the Gospels’ accounts and some on tradition.
The walk begins in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City on Via Dolorosa Street (1st station, near the intersection with HaPrakhim Street) from where you follow the street west through eight stations until you reach the 9th station at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the last five stations are.
6. Explore the Citadel (Tower of David) and Surrounds
The Citadel, popularly known as the Tower of David, actually has no connection with David, having been erected by King Herod to protect the palace he built in approximately 24 BC.
His original citadel had three towers named after his brother Phasael, his wife Mariamne, and his friend Hippicus.
After Titus’ conquest of the city in AD 70, the Romans stationed a garrison here, but later the citadel fell into disrepair. It was successively rebuilt by the Crusaders, Egypt’s Mamelukes and Turks, during their years of reign over Jerusalem.
