Museums in Old City (Jerusalem)

Destroyed Synagogues in Old City

All three of these sites are accessible to the public and are a worthwhile stop on your visit. They demonstrate the long and turbulent history of this region. Burnt House is located on Tiferet Yisrael Road. The site is believed to have been the house of Bar Kathros family, a notable priestly family. A brief and inexpensive sound and light show is offered Sunday to Thursday morning until late afternoon.

Old Yishuv Court Museum

Learn about Jewish life in this part of Jerusalem during the "Old Yishuv" (the period before 1948). The courtyard contains two synagogues, the "Or HaHayim" yeshiva of Rabbi Hayim ben Attar, who immigrated to Jerusalem in 1742 from Morocco, and the "Ari" Synagogue, located at the traditional birthplace in 1534 of kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria. Various displays show typical family dwellings of the nineteenth century, along with tools used in various trades, such as the sandalmaker, the doctor and midwife, the dress of the period. Learn how the residents were provided with necessities like water, heat, and lighting. The synagogues are open for study and prayer.

Tower of David Museum

Foundations for this citadel were laid by the Hasmoneans, and expanded by King Herod. Its historical museum presents the multi-layered and multi-cultural history of the city. Worth noting are models of the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, and the Holy Sepulchre in various eras, and a nineteenth century model of the city. Guided tours are available Sunday to Friday in several languages. In addition to the many exhibits and the fine view of the city, it is also possible to schedule private parties and conferences. Tours of the Permanent Exhibition for individual visitors: In English: Sunday-Thursay at 11a. In Hebrew: Monday and Wednesday at 10:30a Admission: NIS 30 for adults NIS 20 for students NIS 15 for children & seniors

Burnt House

This house belonged to the priestly Kathros family at the time of the Second Temple. The excavated basement apparently contained a laboratory for making incense for the Temple rites. Among the finds were stone vessels, a coin mold, spearheads, and a woman's arm bone. The wealthy Herodian quarter was burnt by the Romans in August, 70 C.E. The family may have hid in the drainage canal visible to visitors, but were smoked out and killed. This is an eerily appropriate place to visit during August, when Jews commemorate the destruction of the Temple. Purchase tickets at the nearby Wohl Museum on 1, HaKara'im Street.

Al Ma'amal Foundation for Contemporary Art

Situated close to its precursor Gallery Anadiel, this new institution is geared towards local youth, providing a variety of workshops including drawing, photography and drama. The foundation has frequent exhibitions which reflect the workshop participants' learning experiences. These exhibitions are not aimed at the public, but those with an interest in art and education are welcome to visit the center. Such a visit provides an opportunity to discuss art with the participants and see vibrant works in progress by youngsters at the center.

Gallery Anadiel

This is one of the few galleries in Jerusalem with its finger on the pulse of Palestinian contemporary art. Founded in 1992 by artist Jack Persekian, the shop-converted space holds mainly solo shows by Palestinian and international artists. Artists who have been lucky enough to exhibit in this intimate little space have included Mona Hatoum who made an installation on the gallery floor with soap and glass beads, as well as others such as Jean-Marc Bustamante. Group shows in the past have involved Palestinian and Israeli artists, with exhibits occasionally touching on the political issues surrounding the city and both nations. Set in a quiet and interesting location in the Christian Quarter of the Old City, the frequent exhibitions held here are not to be missed by culture lovers.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Museum

An orange (historical site) sign just inside Jaffa Gate points to Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Road, on which this small museum is located. Along this road, you will pass the residence of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, and many Greek Orthodox community institutions. Here you will see sarcophagi from the Herod Family Tomb along with other finds from Jerusalem, Nazareth, Capernaum, and elsewhere. On display are historic documents, liturgical vestments and vessels, and books, and carved remnants of the tombs of the Crusader kings of Jerusalem. There is a small entrance fee.

Mardigian Museum of Armenian Art and Culture

Armenian institutions have existed in the Holy Land since the third century, when the country adopted Christianity. The present day Armenian community is largely descended from refugees who fled the 1915 massacres, as well as monks and seminarians. The museum displays Armenian art, ceramic tiles and religious artefacts, and books printed on the first printing press set up in Jerusalem. You will gain an overview of the rich history of this ancient community. The museum gift shop offers posters and recordings of the world-famous Armenian Patriarchate Choir. There is a small entrance fee.

Islamic Museum

Entrance to this museum is included in the combined entry ticket to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The museum, which consists of two buildings, contains many wonderful religious relics from the Near and Far East. Artifacts on display include rare Koran manuscripts, incense burners, antique prayer rugs, mosque lamps, weapons and remains of mosaics. The museum is located to the West of Al-Aqsa Mosque and can be accessed from the ramp by the Western Wall. Like the rest of the Temple Mount compound, the museum is closed on Fridays and Muslim religious holidays.

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park

Considering the vast amount of history here, The Jerusalem Archaeological Park covers 5,000 years in a clear and fun way. And what better way to learn about the past? Start at the Davidson Centre, where there are exhibition rooms, educational films and so on. The Exhibition Gallery covers four of the main periods represented in the Park: the Second Temple, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Islamic periods. The Jerusalem Archaeological Park itself goes from the Temple Mount walls to the City of David and the slope of Mount Zion and beyond.