Overview

The zoo, situated on 62 acres and built on two levels, is home to over 170 species of animals, many of which roam freely within their enclosures.  A special treat is the African savanna containing giraffes, zebras and more. View the animals sleeping, playing and eating, learn about conservation, wildlife habitats and take the visitor’s train for a different view of the park including its large man-made lake, waterfalls and pools. There is also a petting zoo for children, a children’s sculpture garden, places to eat, and lots of open space for children to play, even when the zoo is busy.

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Overview

The Burnt house (Katros House) is an ancient wealthy residential home in the Old City of Jerusalem that was discovered in a 1970 archaeological excavation five meters below street level.

Prior to perusing the artifacts in the museum, watch an audio-visual presentation that recreates the story of the priestly Katros family during the last few days prior to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. The movie shows every 40 minutes, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in four different languages (Hebrew, English, Spanish and French). After the movie, walk through the reconstructed four rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and mikveh (ritual bath) and picture how the Katros family lived.

In the adjoining museum, view artifacts such as heavy stone kitchenware (used by priestly families for spiritual purity reasons), coins, and grinding stones. See ancient inkwells, a spearhead and a stone weight etched with the name “Katros.” Notice the signs of fire on the stones of the house, attesting to the destruction of the Katros House by fire, hence the name “Burnt House.”

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Overview

Visit the north wing of the Mt. Zion Hotel and discover the Cable Car Museum commemorating Israeli ingenuity during the War of Independence.  View the cable car that was suspended on a 200 meter cable 50 meters high over the Hinnom Valley every evening and lowered every morning to secretly transport supplies to the besieged residents and defenders of the Old City.

The cable car, developed by IDF Commander and engineer Uriel Jefetz, held 5500 pounds (250 kilos) and was kept secret until 1972 in case it was needed again.  See photographs of officers and soldiers, including Moshe Dayan, and related project documents.

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Overview

Re-live ancient Jerusalem history at the remains of the Cardo and the Broad Wall. Descend 20 feet below street level to view the Cardo, a recreated 180 meter section of the Byzantine columned avenue that once crossed the whole city. Shop for souvenirs and artwork in the gallery of modern shops built into old vaults that were ancient storefronts, covered by an arched Crusader style roof.  Look through the glass-covered openings and see a view of the remnants from the First and Second Temple eras beneath the street.

Study a re-creation of the ancient Madaba Map, a 6th century mosaic discovered in Jordan and the oldest known map that depicts Jerusalem with the Cardo at its center. View the remains of the Broad Wall, a seven-meter thick wall built by King Hezekiah in his attempt to defend the Old City from the Assyrians. Nearby see a smaller structure to its right that was destroyed while building the wall.

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Overview

Visit the Abbell synagogue at the Hadassah University Medical Center and view the three meter tall stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall. Chagall spent two years on the project with his assistant Charles Marq, applying a special process which allowed him to use up to three colors on a pane, instead of the traditional monochromatic method.

See the twelve windows, each of which is focused on a specific color, featuring a quotation with a depiction of the blessing given by Jacob to each of his twelve sons.

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Overview

Gain a perspective of the enormity of the Holocaust at the Chamber of the Holocaust(World Peace Centre)  on Mt. Zion.  Walk through the ten exhibition halls and courtyard and view the Bergen Belsen Memorial,  the Candle Memorial, the Children’s Memorial, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Monument and a symbolic gas oven.

See artifacts such as yellow arm patches and a jacket made from Torah parchment (all from Leviticus describing terrible curses) that was worn by a Nazi officer. Visit the grave of Oskar Schindler and read the names of over 1,000 destroyed Jewish communities written on plaques that line the Courtyard of Annihilation. Visit the two rooms of the World Peace Center. Meditate and pray in the second room that houses King David’s Well, which was used by Jewish pilgrims in the time of the Second Temple. According to legend, this is a place where prayers are answered.

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Overview

Learn about Judaism at the outreach center of Aish HaTorah World Center overlooking the Kotel (Western Wall ) Plaza and the model of the Second Temple.  Inspired by the story of the 40 year old ignorant shepherd who became the famous Rabbi Akiva, see glass artist Dale Chilhuly’s two-story tall glass sculpture entitled “Fire and Water” located in the lobby atrium.

Absorb the teachings of Rabbi Noach Weinberg, Aish founder, through an interactive, touch-screen wall with films of his lectures.  Drop into Aish classes held daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or participate in a Discovery Seminar on Sunday.

Enjoy the rooftop view of the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza,  Mt. of Olives and the Temple Mount. While on the roof, see the 1.2 ton model of the Second Holy Temple equipped with a modern hydraulic system enabling a view of the Temple interior.  On your way to the Kotel plaza, exit the Aish HaTorah building two stories below the lobby and see the Second Temple era aqueducts that led to the Temple.

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Overview

Learn about the historical development of money in Israel and the main function of the Bank of Israel at the Bank of Israel Visitor’s Center. View the display of over 400 numismatic items including the first coins ever minted in the Lydian empire (western Asia Minor) and ancient coins used in Israel throughout the centuries (from the Persian empire through the Roman Era).

See coins found in a shipwreck, coins found buried at Tel Maresha (Bet Guvrin) by a wealthy individual, all Israeli banknotes from the British Mandate to present times, and original artwork for banknotes that were never circulated.  View films about the development of money, price stability and inflation.

Play computer games such as  Identifying Counterfeit Banknotes, Banking Supervision Game (about the importance of bank stability), Money and Inflation Trivia Game and Foreign Currency Game (about foreign currency trading).  Visits must be prearranged, call ahead to arrange a visit.

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Overview

Re-live the history of the First Temple era in the Ariel Center for Jerusalem  (Yad Ben-Zvi) in the First Temple Period through three exhibitions in the museum. In the first exhibit, see a scale model of Jerusalem towards the end of the First Temple period and adjacent to the model is a modern animated film, “The Spirit of Jerusalem,” about an artist who meets historical personalities from the era.

The second exhibit displays artifacts depicting everyday life in the First Temple era including 7th-8th century inscriptions and archaeological reproductions such as “Sennacherib’s Sawmill,” “Siloam’s inscription” (one of the oldest of it’s kind, found in the Hezekiah tunnel), a silver plaque with the Priestly blessing, a burial cave and jewelry.  In the third exhibit, “Bird in a Cage,” learn about the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem through Assyrian relief maps, Bible verses and archaeological finds, such as a restored portion of Hezekiah’s tunnel.

Tour the museum with a guide and participate in one of the interactive programs such as the development of Hebrew script; burials and tombs in Jerusalem; ancient diplomacy – letters and seals; or ancient military practices and strategies. Call ahead to reserve.

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Overview

Established in 2005 by five young artists who saw a need for contemporary artists to display their work in a non-commercial venue. View displays of contemporary art at the Barbur Arts Center which change on a monthly basis and watch live avant-garde musical jazz performances. Also you can watch video-art, discussing it afterwards with the creator.

Enjoy the community garden in the courtyard or borrow books from the small art and political science library at the center.

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