10 Things You Must Do in Jerusalem

The Fellowship | October 4, 2019

The city of Jerusalem during an orange sunset.

Jerusalem may be one of the most famous cities in history. Our friends at Israel21c share their top 10 things to do right now in the Holy City:

1. Place a prayer in the Western Wall (Kotel)

This massive retaining wall is a relic of the Second Temple complex built by King Herod and burned down by the Romans in 70 CE. Since the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, the Kotel is open free to visitors of all faiths.

Many people place folded-up prayers or requests in the cracks between the ancient stones, giving the Western Wall the additional moniker of “Wall of Wishes.” Several online services will place a note for you, but there’s nothing like slipping your paper in personally – just ask Pope Francis, Lady Gaga, Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Simmons, Donald Trump and countless other celebrities who’ve done so.

2. Splash through Hezekiah’s Tunnel

When the City of David was about to be besieged by the Assyrian army in the eighth century BCE, King Hezekiah protected the water supply by diverting the Gihon Spring through a 1,750-foot (533-meter) tunnel dug into the mountain. An ancient stone carving found near the entrance describes this incredible feat of engineering.Today, trekking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in knee-high water (with a guide) is a favorite activity for visitors of all ages.