(content by Monica A)
There are very few places on this Earth that are significant and of sacred importance to more than one religious division, let alone three. It is highly unlikely to see people belonging to different religious backgrounds being tied together through a commonplace of spiritual relevance. Sometimes, there are sectarian differences and splits between one single religion, and elements sacred to one may not remain sacred to the other due to lack of harmony. However, the city of Jerusalem still holds relevance and holiness to Muslims, Jews, and Christians equally. Let us investigate more of its fascinating history, despite being destroyed and fought over, again and again.
Why all 3 Religions are Present Here
Judaism
The Western Wall or the Wailing Wall, which is the remnant of the sacred Jewish temple, is present in Jerusalem. This Wall is the most sacred and prestigious place in the world for the Jews. Even though it is a wall and the rest of the temple is no longer there, the religious importance tied to it is still fresh and sought after.
Islam
When we talk about Muslims, there is a Dome of the Rock present above the Western Wall. This Dome is highly sacred to them because this is the place from where they believe the Prophet Muhammad was risen to the skies for his nightly journey. Additionally, it is thought that time stood still during his journey. So, for this reason, it holds great importance for Muslims as well.
Christianity
This historic place is also equally important for Christians. Not far from the Dome of the Rock, there is exists the Church of the Sepulcher. It is the place where Christians believe that Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.
So, now you see how these three distinct religions are all connected to one place. The history and cultural values that are associated with Jerusalem are rich and worth learning.
A Jerusalem tour will make you realize that the city is divided into four quadrants: the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter. All of these quadrants are important to these religions. It is interesting to know that all these sections are unique and distinct from one another in terms of people, lifestyle, aromas, observations, and of course, experience.
Now that the religious relevance has been explained, let us look into more reasons to entice you to visit Jerusalem.
Old Bazaar
Midway between all of the spaces mentioned above, the city holds bazaars which are animated due to shopkeepers selling and bargaining with customers. These bazaars are always crowded because people keep coming to the city from all over the world. You can see people asking for goods for half the price the shopkeeper told them. An interesting fact is that sometimes, they actually agree and take half the price. You can take souvenirs and buy historical items from the bazaar and bring them back as gifts.
Modern Experience
If you wish to go out to a different atmosphere than that of these religious places, you can go and enjoy local items and sites just like the residents of Jerusalem do. It has a rich and considerably modernized culture along with quite a vibrant nightlife. You can roam around in the city and have a closer look at the people’s lives there. You would think there will just be cafes and museums, but there are also nightclubs where people go and relax to have a good time. The city has a balanced approach in its tourist experience with both religious and entertainment elements made available for tourists.
Food
For most people, getting to try different cuisines of the world is enough motivation for them to travel even if it means going to another city or another country. Jerusalem has residents from different areas of the world. All of them have brought their food and cuisines from their homelands to Jerusalem. These foods are now being offered in the streets of the city. You can try street food like falafel from area kiosks. Or, if you are in a mood for something fancy, you can dine in roadside cafes or restaurants that offer diverse cuisines.
All in all, Jerusalem is a city with soul. The diversity of experience present here will hardly be seen in any other city. You can visit here for rekindling your religious sentiments, experiencing the historical city or just for exploring. So, grab your passport, pack your bags to come and live the Jerusalem life for a while and have a versatile trip within one city and different cultures.
