As Christians, we might think of Jerusalem as a city where people go on pilgrimages, but there are a lot of other things we didn’t know about Jerusalem that might even interest you to visit for other reasons than pilgrimage. Here are some of them:
1. It’s greener than you think.
Whenever we think about a country or city in the Middle East, of course we would think of a place where there are barely any trees with the an intense summer heat that kills. However, Jerusalem is actually greener than you thought. As it’s shown in the picture, there are some trees throughout the city. Not only that, the city is also famous for its Jerusalem Botanical Gardens where they have more than 10,000 planted with an abundance of green spaces. Visitors who enjoy nature can also visit Gazelle Valley, the city’s main park where as the name suggests has gazelles running around and also foxes together with beautiful greeneries on its surroundings.
2. It snows there.
Though Jerusalem has a pretty intense heatwave during the summer, during its coldest month in January, the city can be quite cold usually averaging around 10° C (50° F). In fact, back in 2015, the city was piled high in snow as a big storm of winter came along. This was the most snow that has covered the city since 1992.
3. It hosts an annual light festival.
Held since 2009, this annual festival is going to kickoff its 9th celebration starting from June 28th until July 6th. With the theme of ‘Games of Light’, everyone is invited to walk along the illuminated trails around the city and enjoy this colorful and bright works of international artists.
4. It’s very artsy.
Not only hosts an annual light festival, Jerusalem is also overflown with art galleries, museums, and even pop-up installations that are focused on various arts and crafts. The most reputable one, The Israel Museum features archaeological findings and fine arts, including the infamous Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. For those who aren’t a fan of going to museums or galleries, even by going around the city, visitors can also see how art is a big influence through the different buildings and traditional markets.
5. It’s not so ancient.
You would think that it’s all ancient and backwards in Jerusalem, but it’s actually the opposite. Bridge of Strings, also known as the Chords Bridge, is a bridge that carries the light rail across the city. It was designed by a Santiago Calatrava, a Spanish architect and Engineer and because of its magnificent and modern-look, it was called “Jerusalem’s first shrine of modern design” by Times Magazine. Not only that, the light rail bridge, together with more biking paths also have been crucial in reducing air pollution up to 80%. There’s even a biking path that takes you from Jerusalem to a nearby city, Tel Aviv.
6. It has 19 theaters — in one building.
For cinema lovers, Jerusalem would be the perfect destination for them. Called Cinema City Jerusalem, the eight-story-tall building is a mall with 19 theaters that runs on different themes. The kids’ movies are played in an auditorium full of their beloved characters, while the love-themed theaters come with couples’ seats. These theaters are also completed with their own cinema museum. To top it all off, he bar also works as a projection room where the guests can set up their movies as they enjoy their drinks.
7. It’s fun all night long.
Whether you prefer spending all day in the cinema, join a dance party, or immerse yourself in an art cultural experience, Jerusalem has endless options for visitors. If you fancy spending some alone time by reading a book, Thmol Shilshom cafe supplies a large variety of books and hosts occasional poetry readings. For wine lovers, the famous Moroccan-themed Darna Restaurant has the perfect selection from their extensive cellar. The locals also love spending time around The First Station, a train station that doesn’t work anymore, to simply hang out or hold special events, like yoga classes to art exhibitions.
