Tourism in Jerusalem....

Date of Issue - 17 November 2016

Here is a wonderful set from Israel Post featuring "Tourism in Jerusalem ". "Everyone has a city, and its name is Jerusalem" wrote poet Natan Yonatan, reflecting the wide range of emotions that this magical city evokes in the hearts of billions of people around the world. For thousands of years this magical city has been at the center of existence for people of different religions and cultures who consider it to be the place where God chose to be revealed and where He will judge mankind at the end of time.

Pilgrims of all religions choose to come to Jerusalem to follow their religious sentiments, to see the places they admire and to walk in the footsteps of the saints who have molded the essence of their faith. Thus for example, Christian believers can walk the alleyways of the Old City along the traditional Via Dolorosa and touch the stones they believe to be holy.

Throughout history, representatives of many different empires ruled Jerusalem, leaving their mark upon the city by erecting magnificent buildings representing their own culture. The Ramparts Promenade, which runs along the top of the Old City walls and was built in the 16th century by Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, provides tourists with a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the roofs of the Old City interspersed with minarets atop mosques, church towers and domed synagogues.

From atop the walls, visitors can also see the new city of Jerusalem, which began to be built in the mid-19th century. During that tumultuous time, the European powers attempted to emphasize their presence in Jerusalem by erecting magnificent large buildings, which continue to adorn the streets of the city to this day. Tourists can stroll along Jaffa Road, one of the main streets of the city, or ride the light railway that was installed in recent years, gazing at buildings such as the Generali Building, which was constructed by representatives of Italy and features a winged lion, the symbol of the city of Venice.

In 1892 the first railway line in Eretz Israel was completed, running between Jerusalem and the Jaffa port. The First Train Station, built at that time, served the city for decades. A new train station was built in the late 20th century in the southern part of the city, and the old building was renovated. It now serves as a tourist attraction, providing visitors with a delightful combination of culinary art, culture and atmosphere on the old train platforms. Visitors can walk or bike along the old train route, which is now a well kept park.

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo provides an enjoyable break from visiting historical sites. Here tourists can see animals mentioned in the Bible alongside rare and endangered species. Direct contact with the adorable animals in the petting zoo melts the hearts of the young as well as the young at heart.

The peak of the Mount of Olives provides enchanting views of the city of Jerusalem, including those mentioned above and many more. Its abundance of historical sites makes Jerusalem one of the most fascinating cities in the world. And in the words of poet Natan Yonatan, "Everyone has a place in Jerusalem that he calls love."