Western Wall

The Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall, is located in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

The Western Wall was a part of the outer wall of the Second Temple that was renovated by Herod the Great around 20 BCE.

Western Wall, Jerusalem
The Western Wall is now under the control of Israel: since 1967, the place has been expanded by destroying Palestinian residences.

The height of the wall is about 21 meters.

  • 1st - 7th level: the Second Temple (516 BCE - 70 BCE) period
  • 8th - 11th level: Umayyad Caliphate (661 - 749, the Dome of the Rock was built in 691 at the Mount Temple) and Fatima Caliphate (969 -1071) periods
  • higher than the 12th level: Ottoman Empire period, using smaller stones

So, it took over 1,000 years to be present-day high.

There was a bathroom (checked in 2010) on the left side of the Wall .

Being prepared for a visit

The Western Wall plaza is separated into men and women.

Men must wear a yarmulke (kippah) on their heads to show honor to God.

Don’t you have your yarmulke (kippah)? No problem, you can borrow one for free. Please do not forget to return it after a visit.

Western wall, area for men
Men have to wear a yarmulke (kippah) to visit the Western Wall.

Everyone should be dressed modestly: no short pants, no tank top, etc. (like Catholic churches)

No photography is allowed on Shabbat (approx. from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) or Jewish holidays.

History of the Western Wall

c.20 BCE

Herod the Great, a king of Judea, renovated and expanded the Second Temple.

c.70 CE

The Romans destroyed the Second Temple. The Jews were banished from Jerusalem.

Since then, the Jews were not allowed to visit Jerusalem except once a year to see the remains of the temple.

Middle Ages

The custom of the visit disappeared as the Jews converted to other religions through the changes of their rulers.

16th century

During the Ottoman era, Suleiman the Magnificent finally allowed the Jews to pray at the Wall.

It’s said that the Jews were praying only at synagogues or the Mount of Olives until this time.

1852

Once the Status quo of Holy Land sites took effect, the Jews got the exclusive privilege of a place to play at the Wall. They began to claim also their property right of it.

Since 20th century

The Zionism movement got bigger and bigger. The Jews tried to monopolize the wall, but the Palestinians couldn’t take it, of course. It leads to armed conflict all across Palestine.

After the Six-day War in 1967, Israel took control of East Jerusalem. The dearest wish of the Jews came true.

Hebrew Bible at the Western Wall, Jerusalem
Visit quietly as many Jews are praying.

After that, Israel destroyed Palestinian residences and mosques around the wall to expand Western Wall Plaza and the Jewish quarter.

Information

  • Opening hours 24/7
  • Admission free

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