Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, though not internationally recognized as such. With a population of 763,800 residents, located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern edge of the Dead Sea, modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the boundaries of the Old City. Jerusalem is also considered as the holy city to the three of the major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Visiting Jerusalem during Holy Week (a Christian holiday celebrating Jesus death and resurrection) is a whole different experience, within the old city, in an area of ​​half a square mile, one can find some of the most sacred places in the world: the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa, worship by Christians; the Western Wall, holiest site for Jews, and the Temple Mount, the most important sites in Islam after Mecca and Medina. These divine and human wealth are protected by the beautiful white stone walls, almost five miles of defenses eight feet wide and twelve high, topped by 34 towers. This strength is perforated by eight holes; doors throughout the centuries have allowed the pilgrims to approach their gods. One of them, The Damascus Gate, that dates from 1537, also called in Arabic “Bab Al Hamoud”, means "gate of the column," referring to a monolith Roman victory that in the past stood in the square outside. The most controversial of all the doors is, precisely, the one that remains sealed, the Golden Gate, which many refer to as the Eternal Life Gate or Gate of Mercy, located on the east wall of the citadel, facing the place where the sun raises. According to Jewish tradition, this is the door through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem when he returns. The door dates from the seventh century, the first Islamic period of Jerusalem, but remains sealed since 1541. The passage of time has seen the old citadel of Jerusalem changed hands and face, but one thing remains unchanged: the belief of thousands of Christian pilgrims, Jews and Muslims to cross the wall by any of its doors and enter in places that blanket, is a way of approaching God.

The status of the city now days, and especially its holy places, remains as an issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli government has approved building plans in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City in order to expand the Jewish presence in East Jerusalem, while prominent Islamic leaders have made claims that Jews have no historical connection to Jerusalem, alleging that the 2,500-year old Western Wall was constructed as part of a mosque.