We can all agree that a great thing about traveling and visiting different countries is that each one of them has something special to offer. What’s more, each country has its own history, a story to tell to tourists. Some people are more interested in this aspect of the journey than others, as it is to be expected.
However, if you are one of those who want to learn as much as they can and you are planning a trip to Israel, you are in the right place. Clearly, planning a vacation is so much more than just making a list of towns and tourist attractions you want to visit. For example, if you are still having trouble finding the perfect accommodation for you and your family, visit golan-exposure.co.il.
As you can assume, in this article, we are going to provide you with a list of historical places that you cannot miss in Israel. You have probably already heard about some of these, and almost certainly some of them are already on your places-to-visit list.
Jaffa
Jaffa, also known as Joppa or Jopha, is the oldest port city in the world. We believe this to be enough reason for you to put it on your travel map. The city is associated with the biblical story of Jonah, who sailed from Jaffa before he was thrown into the sea. Taking into consideration how old the city is, it comes as no surprise that there are also some stories about Solomon and Saint Peter, as well as some mythological ones about Perseus and Andromeda.
When it comes to popular places, there are numerous landmarks such as The Clock Square that was built in 1906 or the governor’s place called The Saraya, constructed in the 1890s. In addition, there are multiple orthodox churches, roman-catholic basilicas, and mosques that were all built on the remains of historical sites.
Furthermore, you cannot miss the market that is located in the center of the town. Here, you can buy anything, from secondhand clothes to antiques and also small gifts. Take a stroll, observe your surroundings, and get familiar with the locals and their everyday life.
Yad Vashem
Without a doubt, this Holocaust remembrance center, located in Jerusalem, is a place you have to visit. It was built in the honor of millions of Jews that were murdered during World War II, but it also preserves the memory of Gentiles, people who helped Jews in need.
It was founded in 1953 and it was built on the Mount of Remembrance. The entire complex consists of two types of facilities. One of them is used as a scientific center where the Holocaust is studied, and the other type, that is designed to be a memorial museum that welcomes the visitors.
Through numerous exhibits as well as The Hall of Names and 2.2 million Pages of Testimony, you will learn a lot about this dark period in our history.
Masada
Masada is an ancient fortress built on the rock plateau above the Dead Sea in 150BC. Between 37 and 31BC, King Harold the Great reconstructed the fortress and built two palaces for himself with the goal of improving their chances of withstanding sieges i.e. assaults and blockages.
This is also the place where a group of rebels, called Jewish Zealots, was hiding from Roman troops and at the end of the First Jewish-Roman War, 960 of them committed mass suicide.
Nowadays, visitors can see archeological sites and remains of the fortress. If this place is on your list, locals would advise you to go there early in the morning and enjoy the magnificent sunrise.
Avdat
Avdat is another archeological site that history geeks should not miss. This place is what is remained of the Nabataean city, the second most important on the trade route called the Incense Route after Petra. It was populated by Byzantines, Romans, and Nabataeans.
The city is also known as Abdah, Ovdat, and Obodat, and its original name was changed in honor of King Obodas I, a Nabataean King who was buried here. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular tourist attraction because there are ruins of fourth-century churches, a temple, a bathhouse, and one of the streets.
Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine and also one of the most famous holy sites in the world. It is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount. It was built between 691-92 CE on the ruins of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
Besides having an enormous religious significance, its golden dome is also important in the world of architecture since it is considered to be one of the oldest works that stand today. The original dome was destroyed in 1015, but it was soon reconstructed in 1022-23.
Jews believe that the dome is house to the site where Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac. Inside, there are two shrines, and there are also two imprints on the rock. It is believed that one of them belongs to the angel Gabriel while the other is thought to belong to the Prophet.
The Western Wall
Besides the Dome of Rock, The Western Wall is considered to be one of the most important landmarks of Jerusalem. It is actually the only remaining part of the Second Jewish Temple. It is open to tourists and millions of people come here to recite prayers or write them down and put them in the cracks of the wall.
Visitors also have the option of going through underground tunnels that were discovered during multiple archeological excavations. This area has not been restored which means that you will get the chance to see the original site that dates back to the 1st century CE.
Conclusion
To sum up, in this article, we have only mentioned 6 places that should be on your travel list when planning a trip to Israel. Clearly, there are many more such as The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the ancient city of Belt She’an in the Jordan Valley, the ancient Roman city of Caesarea, and so on.
