Israel & Jordan 2023: Jerusalem, part 3
For those that have not been here before and reading this for the first time, or have missed a few posts, or curious about safety given the instability in the region, allow me to repeat that this trip was taken from January 14 to 27, 2023. I'm just a tad behind in documentation.
On day 7 of this vacation, we were visiting Old Jerusalem with the tour group. As you know the 2 previous posts were visits we made on our own the previous day.
On this day we entered Old Jerusalem via the Zion Gate.
As you know this trip was a year ago and with my memory a little unreliable lately I rely on my notes. The first item for today was a visit to Mt. Zion/Church of Dormition (the location is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary died or fell asleep, as the name suggests.)
On the second floor was the Room of the Last Supper. It's not what I expected, but I remember experiencing something like an out-of-body experience. It's like I wanted to take in all the sensory stimuli, but also wanted to photograph everything, so I was torn.
The Cenacle, from the Latin word cenaculum or dining room, the Room of the Last Supper is also known as Upper Room or the Room Upstairs as I believed we were told was traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper. The room we were told had also served as a Christian Church and also a mosque at different times.
Downstairs, one level down, is the burial site of King David. Here, men and women enter separate rooms to view the tomb of King David. Personally, I don't think I saw it with my own eyes, but my husband claimed he did. I think the men's room had a better view, because I don't think I know what I was looking for or looking at. Also inside the room there were many people praying and we were told to be respectful so I didn't stay long to do some photography.
We continued our exploration of the old city until we reached the Hurva Synagogue, which is on a nice spacious courtyard or plaza. This spot is quintessential European plaza/courtyard that I always imagine.
To be continued......
As you know this trip was a year ago and with my memory a little unreliable lately I rely on my notes. The first item for today was a visit to Mt. Zion/Church of Dormition (the location is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary died or fell asleep, as the name suggests.)
On the second floor was the Room of the Last Supper. It's not what I expected, but I remember experiencing something like an out-of-body experience. It's like I wanted to take in all the sensory stimuli, but also wanted to photograph everything, so I was torn.
The Cenacle, from the Latin word cenaculum or dining room, the Room of the Last Supper is also known as Upper Room or the Room Upstairs as I believed we were told was traditionally believed to be the site of the Last Supper. The room we were told had also served as a Christian Church and also a mosque at different times.
Downstairs, one level down, is the burial site of King David. Here, men and women enter separate rooms to view the tomb of King David. Personally, I don't think I saw it with my own eyes, but my husband claimed he did. I think the men's room had a better view, because I don't think I know what I was looking for or looking at. Also inside the room there were many people praying and we were told to be respectful so I didn't stay long to do some photography.
We continued our exploration of the old city until we reached the Hurva Synagogue, which is on a nice spacious courtyard or plaza. This spot is quintessential European plaza/courtyard that I always imagine.
To be continued......
You were blessed to see this beautiful area while you still could do it safely. Let's hope it survives for future visitors. Your pictures and memories are so interesting.
ReplyDeleteA friend just got back from Jordan and then a few days later all their trouble started so she was very lucky. I wonder how they know it was the room of the last supper and not just someone saying it was there....? Interesting post - thanks for sharing the tour. #WWOT
ReplyDeleteLovely series.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/02/le-hostellerie-des-trois-pigeons.html
I don't remember if we visited the room of the Last Supper when we visited way back in the year 2000. I cannot remember what I ate for lunch yesterday so how can I recall a memory 24 years ago. LOL But thank you for showing us how it looks like. Great shots, as usual.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll ever make it to this part of the world. You were lucky to visit in 2023. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteYou saw some great sights. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHaha, the struggle between sensory overload and photo ops is real! Experiencing the Room of the Last Supper sounds exciting.
ReplyDeleteWow mind-blowing!
ReplyDeleteHistoric photographs!
ReplyDeleteWow !!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing.
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Jerusalem.
ReplyDeleteI'm so enjoying these walkways and seeing all that you guys got to see. Being in the room of the Last Supper would have been given me goosebumps; I can imagine what it must have felt like to be there. :)
ReplyDelete