Western Wall
- Address:Jerusalem
- Hours:Western Wall Plaza: open 24 hours a day. Western Wall Tunnel: 9:30am - 5pm Sun - Fri. Closed during Jewish holidays
- Admission:Free
12:41 AM Sunday, May 27
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Perhaps the most significant landmark of the Jewish people and symbol of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall (or the Wailing Wall) is the last remaining remnant of the Second Temple built by Herod the Great around 19 BCE.
Jewish pilgrims from all around the world visit the site and pray to the embodied spirit of the holy presence while mourning the fall of the temple by kissing the wall and putting notes into its crevices. The plaza in front of the wall is divided into 2 sections, one for men, the other for women and is the staging for various Jewish rituals.
This particular section of the wall is merely 187 feet (57 meters) however the entire wall stretches more than 1,600 ft (488 m), most of which in accessible and hidden within residential Jerusalem.
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Fantastic tour of the safe areas in Jerusalem including walking the last half of the Via Dolorosa to Holy Sepulchre Church. Great guide who gave us all time to absorb the atmosphere. The Wailing Wall and the walk through the old city was fascinating. NB There are many steps and slippery marble pavements to negotiate as well as lots of standing in queues to see things more closely. The trip to Bethlehem meant crossing into the Palestinian Territories (remember your passport) and winding our way alone through the wall which divides the 2 states.The Jewish guide stayed in Israel and we met our Palestinian guide on the other side. No queues and no problems. The Church of the Nativity had the longest queues but our guide helped the time pass with lots of information and humour. Went up to the Shepherds Field and there were sheep and modern shepherds in the valley opposite. A long but very rewarding day.
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Seems almost impossible to get through so much history in one morning! A comprehensive introduction to old Jerusalem with all the must see sights, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing/Western Wall (where there is time to pray and place a wish). In the afternoon you get a couple of hours at the Dead Sea, which is plenty of time. Lunch was a traditional stuffed pitta bread with a drink of your choice for a reasonable 40 Shekels. There was a short compulsory stop at a gift shop, but zero pressure and there were things worth buying. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and humourous. Recommended.
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This was a great excursion. There are so many interesting places to see in Jerusalem that you want to see them all and this trip hit the high points. The views of the city are spectacular and the Church of the Sepulchre is a sight to behold (though quite crowded). Also you are able to go to the Western (or Wailing) Wall. Even as a Catholic I found that I was in awe of the experience there. To be amongst the people praying and celebrating initially gave me chills. There is more but I wasnt to get to Bethlehem. To those who do not know Bethlehem is in Palestine. This is also an experience since you have to go through the checkpoint to get there. Some people may find this intimidating but I found it to be a once in a lifetime experience. In Bethlehem we went to the Church of the Nativity where we saw the place designated as the birthplace of Jesus and the location of the mager (though obviously no manger is still present). This was overall one of the best day trips I have ever taken.
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Upon entry to the Western Wall plaza, you should keep in mind the stringent codes of Orthodox observers, making sure to dress casually, and if you are a woman to wear a head cover.
The best way to get to the wall is through the Dung Gate at the outset of the Old City situated near the southeast corner, southwest of the Temple Mount. You can take public transportation that will get you close by there, either the 1 or 2.
