JERUSALEM - A Holy City For Three Abrahamic Religions | Documentary

In the heart of the ancient world, where history is carved into every stone, and spirituality echoes through the ancient corridors, there is a city like no other. Welcome to the Holy Land. Welcome to Jerusalem. Once a Canaanite city, Jerusalem witnessed Babylonian exile, Roman conquest, Islamic rule, and the presence of the Crusaders throughout the centuries. Today, Jerusalem is a global symbol of religious and historical significance that attracts visitors from all over the world. Whether it is a spiritual or historical journey, this city changes everyone in one way or another. The Old City of Jerusalem is special and unique in many ways, one of which is the wall that surrounds the Old City. The walls were constructed in the 16th century during the Ottoman period, under the supervision of the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. These robust fortifications were erected to safeguard the city from external threats. This magnificent wall has a total of eight gates, of which seven are open and one is sealed. The sealed gate, known as the Golden Gate or the Gate of Mercy, walled up by Saladin and later by the Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent to better defend the city, holds an important place in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions. This gate is believed by Christians to be the last gate Jesus used to enter Jerusalem, and by Jews to be the gate through which the coming Messiah will enter the city. Many Muslims also believe that this is the gate through which the righteous will pass on the Day of Judgment. Among other gates, there is the Damascus Gate, located in the north. It is the largest and most magnificent gate. Named after the ancient road that led to Damascus, this magnificent entrance is a symbolic crossroads that connects the different communities of Jerusalem. The Damascus Gate opens onto the busy markets and intricate streets of the Old City, the right path leading to the Christian Quarter and the left to the Muslim Quarter. The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four distinct quarters, and walking through them is like walking through thousands of years of human history. Each quarter has its own unique character and cultural significance, holy places, and history to explore. The four quarters of Jerusalem are the Muslim Quarter, which is also the largest and most populated, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Jewish Quarter. As Jerusalem is sacred to three monotheistic faiths, the Abrahamic religions, each of these religions has its holiest place in these quarters. Starting from the Christian Quarter, there is the Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Suffering or Way of the Cross, leads its way through the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. This iconic path commemorates the traditional route that Jesus is believed to have taken on the day of his crucifixion. Lined with ancient stones and narrow alleys, the Via Dolorosa is a sacred pilgrimage route for Christians worldwide. At the end of the Via Dolorosa stands the magnificent Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This iconic Christian landmark is the holiest site in Christianity, encompassing both the site of Jesus' crucifixion and his burial tomb. The church is a mesmerizing fusion of architectural styles, reflecting centuries of religious and cultural influence. As pilgrims enter the church, their footsteps echoing in the same halls where emperors, kings, and the faithful have walked for millennia. Here, at the entrance to the church, pilgrims encounter a simple but deeply meaningful stone, the Stone of Unction. Tradition says that this unsightly slab of stone is where Jesus' lifeless body was prepared for burial. Kneeling before the Stone of Unction, while some touch and others kiss the stone, a silent communion takes place, a moment of reflection, gratitude, and connection to the enduring story of sacrifice and redemption. Worshippers are drawn to touch its cool surface, seeking comfort and a spiritual connection to the moment when oils and spices were applied to the body of their Savior. In the heart of the church, a sacred shrine holds the very essence of Christian faith, the edicule of the Holy Sepulchre. Tradition holds that the edicule was built directly upon the site, believed to be the tomb where Jesus Christ was laid to rest after his crucifixion. This hallowed ground, according to Christian belief, is the very place where after three days Jesus miraculously rose again, appeared to his disciples and ascended to heaven. Jesus' resurrection is what Christians celebrate every Easter. The origins of the edicule trace back to the fourth century when Emperor Constantine the Great commissioned the construction of the church of the Holy Sepulchre. From then until today, Christians from all over the world gather here, attracted by a deep and steadfast faith that finds its refuge within the holy walls of the church. Lighting candles and kneeling before the edicule becomes a holy offering, a profound act of humbleness and reverence. In this collective symphony of worship, the edicule of the Holy Sepulchre is where hope, gratitude and divine grace intertwine, creating a timeless act of devotion. The church itself is divided between six Christian denominations, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian and Syriac Orthodox, and its administration is governed by a delicate arrangement known as status quo. The keys to the church of the Holy Sepulchre are entrusted to two Muslim families. This arrangement dates back to the time of Saladin in the 12th century and serves as a neutral custodianship to avoid conflicts between rival Christian denominations over control of the church. Next to the church of the Holy Sepulchre stands the serene and modest Mosque of Omar. This unassuming structure, named after the Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab, holds its own significance in the complex religious history of Jerusalem. It is told that Caliph Omar travelled to Jerusalem in the 7th century after the city's patriarch Sophronius stated that he would only surrender the city to the Caliph himself. When Caliph Omar arrived, the patriarch Sophronius handed him the keys to Jerusalem and asked if he would pray inside the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Caliph Omar, however, politely declined, choosing instead to pray in the courtyard in order to preserve the church's Christian status and avoid future generations turning it into a mosque. Later, a mosque was built in the place where the Caliph prayed. Today, the Mosque of Omar and the church of the Holy Sepulchre, side by side, serve as testimony to the intricate history, faith and communal worship within Jerusalem's ancient walls. From here, the path leads through a labyrinth of narrow streets. The pulse of the city quickens. Lively streets line up, decorated with endless shops and tempting smells that spread through the alleys. From exotic spices from all over the world, antiques, colourful textiles, various handicrafts, religious objects and souvenirs, to culinary traditions passed down through the generations. Famous falafel, Arabic barbecue and unique hummus are just some of the dishes that will remain in the memory for a long time. An inevitable addition to Jerusalem cuisine is the famous Jerusalem bagel, also known as Kayak al-Quds, a type of bread that Palestinians have enjoyed for centuries. It is one of the few essential recipes for Jerusalem, which is still made today in the same way as centuries ago. The bagel is so popular among the residents of Jerusalem that you can find it in almost every corner. The Old City is a living museum where every item tells a story and every purchase is a connection to the city's heritage. Here, every cup is a sip through time and every conversation carries the weight of centuries. Leaving the vibrant heart of Jerusalem's city centre, the way leads to the holiest site in the world for the Jewish people today, the Western Wall. The Western Wall, or the Kotel in Hebrew, according to Jewish tradition, is the remnant of the once magnificent Second Temple. The history goes back to King Solomon, who built the first temple on the Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham was supposed to sacrifice his son Isaac. In addition to serving as a religious building for worship, the first temple also functioned as a gathering place for the Israelites. Within the inner room of the temple, called the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the original tablets of the Ten Commandments that God had given to Moses. Later, the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, who conquered Jerusalem and sent the Israelites into exile. After Babylon fell to the Persian Empire, the Persians allowed the exiled Israelites to return to Zion and rebuild Jerusalem and the Second Temple, which would later also be destroyed, this time by the Romans. Today, only a small part of the retaining wall remains, known as the Western Wall. For generations, the Western Wall has been a sacred touchstone for Jewish worshippers. Here, the act of placing hands upon these gigantic stones becomes an intimate conversation with history and a connection to the divine. The area in front of the wall serves as a great open-air synagogue, with people of diverse backgrounds coming to witness this spiritual landmark. It's divided into two areas, a small southern section for women and a much larger northern section for men. Jewish people believe that a divine presence rests within the Western Wall, so they leave handwritten prayers and wishes on scraps of paper and insert them in cracks in the wall in the hope they will be answered. Jews can be seen sitting or standing for hours at the Western Wall, bent in sorrowful meditation over the history of their race, and repeating oftentimes the words of their prayers. A common practice during prayer at the Western Wall is swaying back and forth, known as shuckling. This physical movement is a traditional expression of devotion and concentration during prayer. Reading sacred texts, such as the Torah or the Psalms, encourages connection with religious teachings and provides a moment for spiritual contemplation. The rituals at the Western Wall, from the rhythmic sway of worshippers to the placement of handwritten notes, transcend the physical act of prayer. They become a testament to the resilience of a community, bound by a common heritage and a shared yearning for a connection with the divine. The Western Wall remains not just a relic of a bygone era, but a living sanctuary, a bridge that spans the chasm between the temporal and the eternal. It invites all who approach it to be part of a continuing narrative, where prayers carry the hopes and aspirations of a people whose journey unfolds beneath the watchful gaze of ancient stones. Above the Western Wall lies the holiest site for Muslims in Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Known to Muslims as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews as the Temple Mount, it is one of the most controversial and at the same time one of the holiest places on earth. For Muslims, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, host the Al-Kibli Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. According to Islamic belief, the Prophet Muhammad travelled on the back of a barak, a horse-like winged animal, from Mecca to Al-Aqsa in a single night, where he led all the other prophets including Abraham, Moses and Jesus in prayer, and then ascended from there to heaven. For Jews, the compound is where both biblical Jewish temples once stood, as well as number of important events which occurred in the Hebrew Bible. Orthodox Jewish tradition claims that this is where the third and final temple will be built when the Messiah comes. The Temple Mount carries great importance for Christians because of its connection to the Hebrew Bible, but to the life of Jesus as well, including his teaching at the temple and the final days before his crucifixion. Today, Al-Aqsa complex covers one-sixth of old city of Jerusalem, including all the mosques, prayer rooms, buildings, schools, platforms and open courtyards, and exceeds 200 historical monuments pertaining to various Islamic eras, as well as four minarets in total. According to the Islamic creed, all these structures and courtyards enjoy the same degree of sacredness since they are built on Al-Aqsa's holy grounds. Therefore, a worshipper receives the same reward for praying anywhere within the compound, including the open courtyards. The Qibli Mosque is considered the main mosque in the Aqsa compound due to its role in the Friday prayers, as it is where the Imam stands to lead Muslim worshippers in prayer. It is the first physical structure ever built by Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab on the Al-Aqsa complex, and at first it was a simple building that sat on wooden supports. However, Al-Qibli Mosque as we know it today was built during the era of the Umayyad dynasty and underwent a series of constructions and renovation under Abbasid, Fatimid, Ayyubid and Ottoman rules. Today, the Al-Qibli Mosque is a square building made of seven naves. The biggest nave is in the centre and has nine entrances. Inside, ancient marble columns tower high, connected by huge arches that are attached to the mosque's ceiling. The walls are decorated with glass mosaics, which feature illustrations of plants, geometric shapes and verses from the Qur'an. Here, worshippers find solace in the prayer and recitation of the Qur'an. With each verse, hearts are stirred, minds are enlightened and souls are drawn closer to the Almighty. As the call to prayer reverberates through the air, worshippers rise to their feet, their movements synchronized in harmony. With faces turned towards the Kaaba in Mecca, they bow their heads in humble submission to praise the Creator. After prayer, the courtyard becomes a vibrant hub of communal life, a place where families gather, friends exchange stories and children joyfully play in the sun. Here, beneath the shade of trees and open skies, the bonds of brotherhood are forged in moments of deep conversation and shared experiences, by both the old and the young, that will last forever. At the heart of the courtyard stands the most iconic landmark in all of Jerusalem, the majestic Dome of the Rock. With an octagonal design, the Dome of the Rock, is the oldest surviving work of Islamic architecture in the world. The exterior walls are decorated with vibrant ceramic tiles, intricate mosaics, delicate Arabesque patterns and Qur'anic verses from Surah Al-Isra, or the Night Journey. Within the Dome of the Rock, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture unfolds, captivating the senses with its unique design and intricate detailing. The walls are lavishly decorated with a dazzling array of mosaic tiles, meticulously arranged to form intricate geometric patterns and floral motifs. Every surface is a testament to the skill and artistry of the craftsmen who laboured to create this crown jewel of Islamic art. Above rises a magnificent dome with enchanting patterns and engraved verses from the Qur'an. The dome is supported by a series of marble columns, with arched windows made of coloured glass, that filter sunlight and illuminate the interior with a colourful glow. In the very centre of the dome there is a large rock, for many the most sacred place on earth, and is significant to all three Abrahamic religions. According to Muslims, the rock is the place from which the Prophet Muhammad was miraculously ascended to heaven. A journey through the seven heavens where he met the prophets before him saw paradise and hell, and received the five obligatory daily prayers for the first time, an event known as Mi'raj. On the other hand, according to Jewish tradition, it is the foundation stone, the spot where God created the world and Adam, and where Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is believed to be the location of the Holy of Holies, which housed the Ark of the Covenant in the First Temple, the most sacred site in Judaism. Today, Muslims visit the dome of the rock primarily for prayer, and to recite verses from the Quran. The serene atmosphere of the site provides a conducive environment for reflection and spiritual contemplation. Overall, the place holds immense religious significance for Muslims, and it continues to be a place of individual and communal worship in the present day. For the Palestinians, Al-Aqsa holds profound cultural and national importance as well. It is a symbol deeply intertwined with the Palestinian identity and their historical connection to the land. The co-existence of both the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the nearby Church of the Holy Sepulchre, has for centuries attracted countless visitors who want to pray there, while experiencing its historical and religious power, each in their own Jerusalem. And so, as the sun sets over the timeless skyline, this city of wonders will continue to inspire and captivate generations to come. As one chapter closes, another begins, and the story of Jerusalem, the Holy City, continues.