Some of the best Christmas moments captured through a lens
Hadassah Hospital's synagogue is decorated with colorful stained glass windows depicting the tribes of Israel. It was designed by Russian-French artist Marc Chagall (1887–1985).
Known from the New Testament story about Jesus miraculously healing a paralyzed man, the ruins of the pool of Bethesda lie near St Anne's Church over an archaeological site that's also revealed a Roman temple and a Byzantine basilica.
The mountain ridge looming over East Jerusalem is no longer covered by olive groves, but it does remain a place of worship. A Jewish cemetery has stood here for over 3,000 years, and holds around 150,000 graves.
The onion-domed Church of Mary Magdalene, located on Mount of Olives, was built in 1886 by Tsar Alexander III. The remains of Princess Alice of Battenberg, mother of the Duke of Edinburgh, are interned in the crypt.
Mentioned in the Bible, this valley is where it is said the events of Judgement Day will take place (John 3:12). At the southern end of this narrow strip of land, a series of tombs dating back to the Second Temple period can be admired.
To get an idea of what Jerusalem looked like during the late Second Temple period, cast your eyes over the incredible 1:50 scale model of the city, located within the grounds of the Israel Museum.
Hutzot HaYotzer (as it is known in Hebrew) is a charming studio-lined lane at the foot of the Old City walls. The colorful artists' studios, workshops, and galleries make for ideal browsing and souvenir hunting.
This church sited on the Mount of Olives enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. The facade of the church is supported by a row of Corinthian columns, each surmounted by statues of the Four Evangelists.
One of the four quarters of the walled Old City of Jerusalem, the Armenian Quarter reflects a presence that dates back to the 4th century CE. Look out for the stone carving art on the wall in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint James.
One of Jerusalem's most recognized landmarks, the church occupies the site traditionally believed to be where the Virgin Mary died.
Completed in 1537, this is another one of the main entrances to the Old City. Set in the Muslim Quarter against the northern wall, the gate's triangular crenellations lend it the appearance of a crown.
Unearthed in 1867, this tomb is believed by some Christians to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus, rather than the aforementioned Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It stands today as a popular pilgrimage destination.
The outstanding feature of this church, part of a Carmelite monastery, is the tiled panels bearing the Lord's Prayer set over the walls of the cloister and written in over 100 different languages and dialects.
Pictured are the Old City ramparts, built nearly 490 years ago. Two stretches are accessible, from Jaffa Gate south to Dung Gate, and from Jaffa Gate north and west to Lions' Gate.
A stand-alone cultural wing, the museum's Shrine of the Book houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Biblical manuscripts in the world.
Here is the vast Hall of Names at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Site. Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of Nazism.
The ancient citadel known as the Tower of David was once the palace of Herod the Great. Today, it's home to the impressive Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem.
Also known as the Wailing Wall and in Islam as the Buraq Wall, this is Judaism's holiest prayer site. However, it's open to members of all faiths.
For 16 centuries a pilgrimage site for Christians the world over, the church's interior "must-sees" include the Altar of the Crucifixion and the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus' body is said to have been anointed before burial.
The oldest part of Jerusalem, the City of David is one of the city's most active archaeological sites—and most controversial. Many observers consider the site to be on Palestinian land.
As the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray, the Wall's 2000-year-old stone supports the outer section of Temple Mount. Here, worshippers recite scriptures, and kiss the sacred limestone.
Located in the city's Christian Quarter, the church contains, according to tradition, the two holiest sites in Christianity: the site where Jesus was crucified; and where he is said to have been buried and resurrected.
The processional route leading from Lions' Gate into the heart of the Old City is marked by nine 'stations of the cross.' Pictured is the ninth station.
This hidden wonder snakes under the Old City's Muslim Quarter. In some sections, the walkway is little more than a narrow passage.
To Muslims, it's known as Al Haram Ash Sharif ("The Noble Sanctuary"); to Jews, HaBayit ("Temple Mount"). Few other other sites are as holy—or disputed—as this one.
The museum chronicles the city's history in a series of exhibits and interactive displays.
The ground is home to two of Islam's most sacred buildings: the Dome of the Rock (pictured) and Al Aqsa Mosque.
Established in 1965, the Israel Museum holds the world's most comprehensive collections of the archaeology of the Holy Land, as well as displaying Jewish art.
Also known as Solomon's Quarries, this underground limestone quarry runs under the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. It dates back to Herod the Great, and is best explored as part of a guided tour.
One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem has a long and troubled history. Destroyed at least twice, besieged over 20 times, captured and recaptured more than 40 times, and attacked over 50 times, the city has endured thousands of years of conflict and dispute. Considered holy to three major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—Jerusalem was once within the borders of Palestine, but was engulfed by the State of Israel in 1967 during the Six-Day War. Both nations claim Jerusalem as their capital, as the disputed city sits on the border between Israeli and Palestinian territory.
Browse this gallery for a tour of this ancient city and its complex and bloody history.
The dark and complex history of Jerusalem
From the crucifixion of Jesus to today's conflict
TRAVEL Cities
One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem has a long and troubled history. Destroyed at least twice, besieged over 20 times, captured and recaptured more than 40 times, and attacked over 50 times, the city has endured thousands of years of conflict and dispute. Considered holy to three major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—Jerusalem was once within the borders of Palestine, but was engulfed by the State of Israel in 1967 during the Six-Day War. Both nations claim Jerusalem as their capital, as the disputed city sits on the border between Israeli and Palestinian territory.
Browse this gallery for a tour of this ancient city and its complex and bloody history.