For centuries, Jerusalem has been a place where different ideas, peoples and religions run into one another, and that's a big part of what makes it such a fascinating place to visit. As the focal point of three of the world's major religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—Jerusalem's temples and shrines continuously welcome pilgrims bound for those places that make the city so special.
The collision of cultures is also part of the reason that Jerusalem has been the scene of upheaval and conquest throughout its long history. Conquerors have left their marks on Jerusalem, from the Greeks and Romans to the Ottomans and the British. The Old City, with its Temple Mount, Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre, has its foundations in the Hasmonaean era (the dynasty founded by the Maccabees), and majestic remnants of King Herod's massive construction works are clearly visible.
Today, Jerusalem remains one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Arab conflict, with neither side willing to budge on the question of sovereignty over the religious sites. In recent years, Jerusalem has Read More ... been a favorite target of terrorists and extremists, and as a result, the city is very security conscious. Tourists still flock to the city's inspiring and interesting sites, but they do so while keeping abreast of the latest developments in the region.< Show Less
