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Heritage Sites
Profiles of the gates, walls, sacred places and historic buildings of Jerusalem.
Places at the heart of the city
The Dome of the Rock
Completed in 691 CE, the octagonal shrine with its golden dome is among the oldest surviving Islamic monuments and the defining image of the city's skyline.
- Umayyad architecture
- Mosaics and tilework
- Visiting etiquette
The Old City Walls & Gates
The walls standing today were rebuilt in the 16th century under Ottoman rule. Their gates — including Damascus Gate and Jaffa Gate — remain the main entrances to the Old City.
- Seven open gates
- Ottoman masonry
- Rampart viewpoints
Markets & Historic Lanes
Covered souqs and narrow lanes connect the quarters of the Old City, lined with shops, workshops and centuries-old facades.
- Traditional crafts
- Spice and food markets
- Best times to visit
Key chapters in the city's story
Origins
Early settlement on the hills above the Kidron Valley.
A city rebuilt
Street plans, churches and monuments that still shape the Old City.
Monumental architecture
The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound take form.
Schools and endowments
Madrasas, fountains and public buildings across the city.
The walls we see today
Walls, gates and waterworks restored in the 16th century.
A living city
Residents, scholars and visitors keep its heritage alive.
Details worth a closer look
Help us document heritage
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