ISRAEL AND THE HOLY LAND
Capital: Jerusalem
Population: 7 653 600
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic
Currency: Israeli shekel
Religion: Judaism, with several other religions
Useful information:
Dialing code: +972
Police: 100
Ambulance: 101
Electricity:
The electricity supply in Israel is 230V AC?50 Hz, with European plugs.
Payment cards:
Israel has a dense network of ATMs. Cards, however, are not accepted everywhere. They are mostly welcome in large stores, restaurants and hotels.
Israeli cuisine:
The Israelis use a lot of cumin, coriander, mint, and garlic. Falafel is Israel’s national food. It either is shaped like a ball, or looks like a flat burger. Served with a salad. Other popular foods are shawarma (grilled pieces of meats), and St. Peter’s fish, caught in the Sea of Galilee.
Typical prices:
Mineral water (1 liter bottle) – 4 ILS
Cola / pepsi 0,33 l – 8 ILS
Cappuccino – 13 ILS
Kebab – 10 ILS
Fast food meal – 40 ILS
Shawarma (gyros) – 35 ILS
Weather conditions:
The Holy Land has only two seasons – the dry summer, and the rainy winter. The winter begins in October, and lasts until April. Most precipitation occurs in late December and early January. Daytime temperatures may be high, but evenings are sometimes very cold.
Places to visit:
Bethlehem – or the House of Bread. This town is commonly associated with the birth of Christ. Most popular tourist attraction is the 4th century Church of the Nativity, surrounded by numerous monasteries and churches, including the Church of St. Catherine. Another popular attraction is the Milk Grotto.
Galilee – a very important land for all Christians, as Jesus is said to have been born here. Here, the sanctuary of Mary and Joseph is located.
Olive Mountain – It overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem. Jews believe that Moses entered the city from here.
Jerusalem – The biggest city of Israel, and its capital. Regarded as one of the holiest cities in the world, it is a main center of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In its Christian Quarter, there are around forty places regarded as holy. Among most important tourist attractions are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, and Via Dolorosa (or the Way of Sorrows). Jerusalem’s Old City was in 1981 added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. It is surrounded by a wall, and divided into four quarters: Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim.
Lake of Gennesaret – a Biblical lake, where remains of a Neanderthal man were found, and a boat from the times of Jesus Christ.
Judea – a region with a stormy past, full of attractions, especially interesting for Christian tourists.
Tel Aviv – Jaffa – second biggest city of Israel, and its main economic center.
Nazareth – one of the most important Biblical towns. According to the Gospel, Nazareth was a place where Jesus grew up. It has a large Church of the Annunciation, which marks the site where the Archangel Gabriel announced the future birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. Also, Nazareth has the St. Joseph’s Church, which marks the traditional location for the workshop of Saint Joseph, and the Mensa Christi Church, which commemorates the location where Jesus dined with the Apostles after his resurrection.
Tabgha – 3 kilometers north of Capernaum. It is the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
Tiberias – located on western bank of the Sea of Galilee. It is one of four holy cities of Judaism. Named in honor of the emperor Tiberius, is now is a popular resort with seventeen hot springs.
Cana of Galileea – where the first public miracle of Jesus took place, in which He turned large quantities of water into wine.
Capernaum – a village in Galilee. Jesus selected this town as the center of his public ministry. Furthermore, Jesus preached here His Sermon on the Mount.
Caesarea Maritima – a city and harbor built by Herod the Great in 37 – 34 BC. For almost 600 years it was the capital of the Judaea Province
Haifa – the biggest passenger and cargo port in Israel. The city is picturesquely located at the foot of the Carmel Mountain. Haifa is also home to the Bahá’í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent gardens.
