A photographic exploration in nature, trail running, trekking, travelling
Jerusalem
The walls of Jerusalem old city. Towards Jaffa Gate and David’s tower.
Arriving to Jerusalem from the Central Bus Station, it is a long but enjoyable walk along Jaffa Road to the Shuk (the market) > city centre > Old City (source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Jerusalem)
The colorful and vibrant market.
Inside the narrow streets of the Old City, in the Christian Quarter.
The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Greek and Patriarchate flags outside its entrance.
Coat of arms of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Inside the Patriarchate.
Tourist shops dominate most of the central streets close to the well-known monuments.
The old city is lively with services varying from fresh drinks to …
… dental care.
Part of the ancient Roman road is visible inside the old city.
In many cases the architecture and medieval character of the city is completely hidden by the overwhelming presence of shops.
Smaller church next to the famous Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The church of the Holy Sepulchre (Ναός της Αναστάσεως) is the most holy Christian spot in the world. Below the middle top window, the “Immovable Ladder” can be seen, which is in the same exact location since the 18th century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immovable_Ladder).
Next to the yard of the church (Μετόχιον Γεσθημανής).
Inside the Church.
The Stone of Anointing, also known as The Stone of Unction, the spot where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. The lamps that hang over the stone are contributed by Armenians, Copts, Greeks and Latins (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre).
The Edicule chapel, under the impressive Rotunda, which contains the Angel’s Stone and Jesus’s tomb (Πανάγιος Τάφος).
Lighting candles next to the tomb chapel.
Calvary (Golgotha), the site of Jesus’ crucifixion (Γολγοθάς).
The Catholicon housing the main altar of the Church.
The top of the church offers off-the-beaten-path locations with less visitors and authentic architecture.
Resting on top of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Around the main monuments, the church is like a labyrinth, with many underground stairs and chapels.
The Syrian Orthodox Church.
Colorful spices in Jerusalem Old City market.
The Western Wall, the most sacred site recognized by the Jewish faith.
Praying by the Western Wall.
Israeli soldiers visiting the Western Wall.
Below right, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene with its golden domes.
Muslim (foreground) and Jewish (background right) graveyeards.
Young girls in Jerusalem Old City, which apart from the tourist crowds also has a permanent population. Muslim Quarter population was 22,000 in 2005. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_(Jerusalem))
