Holy Sites in Jerusalem
Abraham
Abraham led his people to the land of Canaan,
roughly modern-day Israel.
Moses and Exodus
Moses led the Jews out of Egypt and back to the
holy land.
King David &
Jerusalem
• Around 1000 BCE,
King David united the
Jewish people and
made Jerusalem his
capital.
• Yerushalayim, means
"Heritage of Peace."
Judah and Israel:
the Kingdoms of
David and Solomon
Solomon
the Wise
David’s son Solomon built the First Holy Temple
in Jerusalem.
Solomon threatens to “divide” a baby in
order to determine the true mother.
The Temple of Solomon: the First Holy Temple of Judaism.
The Ark of the Covenant was
located in the Holy of Holies on
the Foundation Stone inside
the First Temple.
Babylonian Captivity
Around 586 BCE,
the First Temple
was destroyed
and many Jews
were exiled to
Babylonia.
Return to
Jerusalem
The Persians allowed the Jews to return to the holy land
and they rebuilt the temple in 516 BCE.
Herod’s Temple
In 19 BCE, Herod, a Jewish client king under Roman rule,
expanded the temple.
Herod’s Temple: the Second Holy Temple of Judaism.
Destruction of
the Temple &
the Diaspora
In 70 CE, the Great Jewish Revolt against Roman
rule resulted in the destruction of the Second
Temple and the Diaspora, the exile of Jews.
The Western Wall
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, the
remains of the Second Temple, remains the focal point of
Jewish worship.
Christianity and the Holy Land
According the
Christian tradition,
Jesus preached,
was crucified and
resurrected in
Jerusalem.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
(Church of the Resurrection)
• Located on the Hill of Calvary, where the New Testament
describes that Jesus was crucified.
• It also is said to contain the place where Jesus was reportedly
buried (the sepulchre).
• Built under Constantine I around 325 CE. Rebuilt or
remodeled many times.
• The church has been an important Christian
pilgrimage destination since the 4th century.
The Stone of the Anointing, believed to be the place where Jesus'
body was prepared for burial. It is the 13th Station of the Cross.
The Stations of the Cross
(Way of Sorrow)
Christian pilgrims trace the last steps of Jesus.
Islam and the
Holy Land
Muslims believe Muhammad
made a journey to
Jerusalem around 621 CE.
The Holy Land under Muslim Rule
• The Holy Land came under Islamic rule in 638 CE.
• In 691 CE, the Dome of the Rock was built on the site of the
Temple Mount.
Dome of the Rock
(Noble Sanctuary)
• Built over the Foundation Stone.
• Believed to be the spot where Abraham prepared his son for
sacrifice and the last location of the Ark of the Covenant.
• Believed to be the spot where Muhammad ascended to God
in Heaven.
The al-Aqsa Mosque
• Translates as the Farthest Mosque.
• Part of the Islamic Noble Sanctuary (Jewish
Temple Mount) in Jerusalem.
• Built between 709-715 CE.