Good Attractions in West Jerusalem (Jerusalem)

King David's Tomb

This synagogue and shrine is in the same building as the Cenacle. A cloth-covered cenotaph honors King David (who was actually buried in the nearby City of David: I Kings 2:10). Probably his tomb was mistakenly located here during the Byzantine period, when Christians celebrated King David and James, the Hebrew and Christian founders of Jerusalem, on Mount Zion. The present building was erected in 1335 by the Franciscans. However, the floor dates back to the second century, when it may have been the "little church of God" mentioned by Epiphanius of Salamis. A nearby room houses an exhibit on the Psalms and is especially worth seeing.

Monastery Of The Holy Cross

This fortress-like medieval monastery is located in the Valley of the Cross, below the Israel Museum. Go there by taxi, or buses 19, 24, 99. There is a small entrance fee. A Christian legend says that the tree whose wood was used for the cross of Christ grew here. Built in the sixth century, the monastery was restored in the 11th century by a Georgian monk. It is now owned by the Greek Orthodox. Shota Rustaveli, the national poet of Georgia and lover of Queen Tamara, was sent into exile when she married David of Ossetia. Rustaveli is said to have painted some of the icons visible on the pillars. A small museum displays the monastery's treasures.

Montefiore Windmill

Erected in 1857, this European-style windmill was built by Jewish philanthropist Moses Montefiore to supply the poor of Jerusalem with flour at a reduced price. There is a small free exhibition inside the windmill celebrating the life of Moses Montefiore, who was born in 1784 and resided in the UK. He visited the holy land seven times before his death at age 101 and bought the land where the windmill stands in Yemin Moshe, encouraging the first Jewish settlement outside the walls of the Old City. Outside the windmill is the replica of the horsedrawn carriage that Moses Montefiore used on his journeys to help Jews in distress across Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

Time Elevator

This attraction, which opened in 1998, provides a white-knuckle simulator ride through Jerusalem's long and turbulent history. The audience is seat-belted in and given headphones for a journey through earthquakes, fires, and the destruction of the city (with seat jolts to accompany). The 25 minute movie begins in the times of King David and Solomon and culminates with the Six-Day War in 1967. Along the way, the audience witnesses the birth of Christianity and the emergence of Islam. The time travel experience concludes with a beautiful aerial ride over the Jerusalem of today. The attraction is not suitable for children under 5. There are stationary seats for heart patients, pregnant women, or those with motion sickness. Admission: NIS 50 for adults NIS 40 for children

Ticho House

One of the first homes built outside the walls of the Old City, it is in a quiet alley by the home of Israel's first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi. In 1924, Anna Ticho, an artist, and her husband Dr. Ticho, bought the property. When Anna died in 1980, she bequeathed the house along with its art collections to the city of Jerusalem, requesting that the house is made into a public center for art and cultural events. Peaceful gardens surround the house and there is a very pleasant outdoor cafe, which is host to weekly jazz and classical music concerts.

Monster Slide - Rabinovich Park

In a neighbourhod park in Kiryat Yovel (Bus 18 or 20), this funky, boggle-eyed monster sculpture – which is literally as big as a house – doubles up as a fun slide. Sliders come out of the monster's mouth and shoot down one of its three red tongues into the sandpit below. Recommended for ages 2-8 (although adults too enjoy letting off steam here!).

The Supreme Court of Israel

Until 1992, Israel's Supreme Court was housed in rented premises. Its new building - a short walk away from the Knesset is architecturally impressive. The building links old and new with mosaics from Byzantine times and bricks reminiscent of those in the Old City alongside white Mediterranean walls. The architects incorporated biblical ideas into their work with law and truth illustrated by lines to show a direct path and justice represented by curves (this comes from a passage in the psalms: "He will lead me in the circles of justice"). Visitors can observe court sessions (but of course the proceedings are in Hebrew). There is a daily English tour at midday. Those arriving at other times, can pick up a sheet for a self-guided tour.

Gan Sacher

Gan Sacher is a large strip of green parkland separating government buildings such as the Supreme Court and Knesset from the neighbourhood of Nahlaot on the other side of Ben Zvi Boulevard. The Park contains the Bonsho which is a large Japanese bell presented to the city as a symbol of everlasting peace. It is engraved with the quote, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee as well". The park's wide, flat lawns are ideal for picnics, sunbathing and sports. There is also a rollerskating area, basketball court, football court, cycle path and children's play area.

Wohl Rose Park

This oasis of beauty and tranquility lies between the Knesset and Supreme Court. Its Garden of the Nations has rosebeds donated from countries all over the world. Between the roses are plentiful benches and sculptures. In some areas you can relax to the gurgle of water coming out of miniature fountains. A more hearty water sound can be heard in the Ornamental Pool, a Japanese garden complete with its own waterfall. The garden contains a stone lantern, rocks and small pools, all arranged harmoniously. A quote on a rock reads, "Water is as essential to a flower as love and peace are to the human spirit".

Ammunition Hill Memorial and Museum

One of the fiercest battles in Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War was fought here by Israeli paratroopers to take the well-fortified Jordanian position that blocked the way to the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University. Visitors can walk along the trenches to imagine the fighting, and can pay their respects to the fallen at the memorial for Battalian 66. The museum offers models and an audio-visual display describing the battle. In the surrounding park, one sometimes encounters Israeli and Jordanian families partaking of a memorial meal in honor of relatives who fell here. There is a small entrance fee.

Knesset Building

Israel is governed by a multi-party system, whose elected members meet in the Knesset (Parliament). The building was completed in August 1966. Its entrance gate was designed by sculptor David Palombo. Inside, visitors will enjoy the wall hanging and mosaics designed by Marc Chagall. In the plenum, an engraved stone wall forms the background for the speakers platform. Galleries accommodate the public, members of the press, the diplomatic corps, and the President of Israel and his guests. The Knesset offers guided tours in Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Amharic, Yiddish, and Finnish for the public. Be sure to take your passport with you in order to enter the building.  Call ahead for hours.

Protestant Cemetery-Mount Zion

The Protestant Cemetery on Mount Zion was established in the 19th century by Presbyterian missionaries. Situated in a quiet corner on Mount Zion, it is the resting place of American and British missionary pioneers of the Ottoman period. Among those buried here is Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who managed to save the Jewish workers in his factory from certain death at the hands of the Nazis, and whose deeds became well-known through Steven Spielberg's film, "Schindler's List". Another famous figure buried here is Flinders Petrie, credited as the father of modern archeology.