One of the biggest archaeological finds of the country, the Beit Guvrin National Park is drenched in Biblical history. Sheltering the ruins of the city of Maresha, this town was once called as Eleutheropolis. Excavated in the 1900s, numerous archaeological treasures were found in this Hellenistic fortress city. The bell-shaped caves, among the many cavernous structures discovered, hold a mysterious charm as the alcoves and sun rays indulge in an intriguing shadow play. The Sidonian Burial Caves belonging to the family of Apollophanes, are unique in their kind and are the only painted mausoleum in the complex. The ruins of the enormous St.Anne’s Church are a window into its history associated with the Crusaders during the 12th Century. The Roman Amphitheater is the final monument which was discovered at the Beit Guvrin complex. One of the most extensive archaeological sites of the Byzantine era, the Beit Guvrin National Park is a treasure chest of history.
The prism shaped Holocaust Historic Museum is situated inside the historic holocaust center complex known as the Yad Vashem. The museum was inaugurated in 2005 and covers an area of 4,200 square meter which is divided into ten galleries to present an imagery of the events from the rise of the Nazis to the end of the World War II. The museum displays artifacts, possessions, testimonies, archival notes and narrative of the events through photographs, stories, films and works of art collected extensively over a period of time. This state-of-the-art museum is open throughout the year and also conducts guided group and private tours. Call for more information.
The first Protestant church in the Middle East it came into being when a controversial agreement to establish a joint bishopric in Jerusalem was signed between Britain and Prussia. The neo-Gothic building was dedicated in 1848 in the compound that was once the British consulate. It is now home to several congregations who worship in English, Hebrew, Romanian, and Filipino. Note the Hebrew inscriptions, the Hebrew Ten Commandments behind the altar, and the stained glass windows with Jewish symbols. Christ Church also operates the Immanuel Bookshop next door, a guest house, and coffee shop.
Yad Vashem was established by the Israeli Parliament in 1953 as a memorial for almost six million Jews who passed away during the Holocaust. Among several divisions of Yad Vashem are the historical museum presenting an overview of the period, and the art museum, which displays works depicting Jewish life during those trying times. The Avenue of the Righteous commemorates those who helped to rescue Jews.
Tradition says that Lazarus, friend of Jesus and brother of Mary and Martha, was raised from the dead here(John 11:17-44). The village, despite its name, is not the biblical Bethany, which lies further up the mountain. Get there by car or taxi. The tomb is now surmounted by a mosque, with the Franciscan Church, designed by Barluzzi, nearby. Like other Christian sites on the Mount of Olives, it is built over earlier remains, in this case, fourth and sixth century sanctuaries, and a Crusader period Benedictine convent built by the Crusader Queen Melisende. Parts of these earlier structures and the crusader mosaic floor are visible.
The Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's walled Old City holds the most important Christian church, the Holy Sepulchre, and a number of monasteries, archaeological sites, and shrines along the Via Dolorosa. It is also an exotic shopping area in which hundreds of stores line the narrow, enclosed paths. You will find everything from spices, traditional Arabic embroidered dresses, ceramics, made-to-order T-shirts, souvenirs, religious items, icons, to antiques, beads, and leather goods. Be prepared to bargain! And don't be dismayed when the shopkeeper in the second store you visit informs you that he could have given you the item you just bought for a substantial discount. Don't rush, and do accept the cup of tea or coffee offered by some shop owners.