The Western Wall, often known as the Wailing Wall, is the world’s most sacred landmark for Jews. It is situated in Jerusalem’s Old City, it is one of two remaining support walls to a Temple Mount that once housed both Jewish and Muslim shrines.
Every year, huge numbers of people visit the wall to repeat prayers that are scribbled or spoken aloud and inserted in the gaps in the wall. Many believe that this tradition is a way of sending their prayers to God and ensuring it is heard. The Walls are divided into two sections, one for men and one for women. It is one of the main highlights of any tour of the Old City, that has made it a famous tourist site.
The Temple Mount was built in 10th century BC. It is known to be the Solomon’s Temple according to the Hebrew Bible. Then, around 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the temple which leads to building the Second Temple in 516 BCE. Herod the Great, who ruled his empire from 37 BCE to 4 BCE, embarked on a project in 19 BCE to expand the Temple Mount.
King Herod undertook significant construction projects during his reign and one of the most famous is the doubling of the size of the Temple Mount. He expanded the Mount by building a platform around it, providing ample space for additional structures such as courtyards, colonnades and other buildings. The retaining perimeter wall of this platform took on a distinctive semicircular shape that can still be seen in today’s Western Wall.
The remnants of the past that visitors can see today are only a small part of the architecture, city layouts, and lifestyles that existed during those times. Archeologist have uncovered many layers of the original wall through years of excavation with each new layer revealing how different the city was in comparison to those found on top.
The facility is available to the public and hosts a variety of rituals, including military induction training and Special Events. This includes a variety of other events from weddings to celebrations, which serve as a perfect backdrop for your special day. Additionally, men and women who wish to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem should dress modestly. Women should wear skirts or pants that cover their knees and shoulders, and men should wear a head covering.
If you wish to visit or pray at the renowned Wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, we suggest for you to follow the guidelines when visiting the tourist spot.
