Some of the noteworthy sites you will see are the water tunnels that King Hezekiah’s built 2,700 years ago in order to redirect the flow of water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, during an impending siege by the Assyrians. Area G – an area of excavations mostly uncovered between 1978 and 1985, containing remnants of a large number of buildings, mainly from the First Temple period. And the Shiloach Pool, mentioned in several instances in the Bible, and the pool is significant for Christians because according to the Gospel of John, it is where Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth.

 Where to eat:

Focaccia
4 Rabbi Akiva St.

Tel.: 02-625-6428, 02-6242273

Located in a beautiful old Jerusalem house in the heart of city, Focaccia is an ideal meeting place for visitors and local residents alike. The restaurant specializes in Focaccia – a flat Italian bread – with delicious combinations of toppings, and also serves meat dishes, pasta, seafood, and salads. I recommend Focaccia for its tasty food, lively atmosphere, and reasonable prices. A good choice for lunch or dinner. Price: $15-25.

 Shop at:

Mahane Yehuda Marketplace

Recently, the Mahane Yehuda Market has experienced a renaissance. For over one hundred years, a market has been standing at this site, and it has seen many transformations. The present marketplace was constructed in 1931 and since then has been periodically renovated, including the addition of a roof over one section. The market is one place you do not want to miss. The atmosphere, the smells, the clothing shops, and the interesting faces, make this cultural phenomenon worth a few hour visit. It is a large market that sells vegetables, fruits, cheeses, fish, olives, and much more. In my experience, people think it is one of the most exciting places in the city. You should not be afraid to bargain – if a vendor tells you ten, that means it’s five.

The Rockefeller Museum

Suleman Street, East Jerusalem (Near the Flower Gate)

Tel.: 02-628-2251

The first building constructed expressly as a national museum, the Rockefeller Museum, was funded by American millionaire John D. Rockefeller Jr. and was built over a 15-year period, finally completed in the late 1930’s. Located in Eastern Jerusalem, the fascinating museum was originally known as the Palestine Archaeological Museum. Designed in an octagonal shape the museum uses Moslem, Jewish, and Christian elements. The museum’s collection includes significant finds from major excavations in Israel conducted in the early twentieth century. In addition to the main collection there are several smaller exhibition rooms, each addressing a special topic, including: stucco elements and statuary from Hisham’s Palace near Jericho; carved wood doors and panels from the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount; lintels from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; and smaller rooms with collections of coins and gold jewelry. The museum stands out for its unique architecture, its history, and of course the rare artifacts that it houses.

 The German Colony

Once a pastoral German neighborhood, founded in the 1870s by German Templers, the German Colony is now a busy up-scale part of town. If you walk around the side streets you can get an impression of what the area was once like when it was inhabited by the Templers, and you can uncover the hidden architectural treasures built by its German founders.

Finish the day in the Cinematheque

Tel: 02-565-4333

The Jerusalem Cinematheque is the local “alternative” theater that specializes in non-mainstream and classic films. It also hosts the Jerusalem Film Festival, one of Israel’s eminent film festivals, with the best of the local film industry as well as varied international productions. The festival usually takes place in July and if you are visiting the city during the summer you should inquire into the festival dates. The Cinematheque  houses the White restaurant. The view from the terrace outside the restaurant is amazing, but the food is average: pasta, focaccia, and salads.