Jerusalem

Barbara J. Feldman

A holy city for three monotheist religions, Jerusalem is the birthplace of Christianity, the spiritual home of Judaism, and the site where Mohammad rose to heaven. Jerusalem is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, yet has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times. Learn more about Jerusalem's tumultuous past at today's picks.

Frommer's: Jerusalem: In Depth

4 stars

"Genesis relates that Abraham visited Melchizedek (king of Salem), one of the first known references to Jerusalem. However, for the next 800 years the city played no part in biblical or Jewish history." Yes, Frommer's is a travel site, but their in depth history is well-written and worth reading. Unfortunately the horizontal chapter navigation isn't repeated at the bottom of each article, so when you're finished you need to scroll back to the top to click to the next chapter.

History Channel: Jerusalem Timeline

3 stars

Visit the History Channel's Jerusalem Timeline to view three-thousand years of history neatly condensed into a single page. This is a great place to start a school report, or to answer questions about the timing of important events in Jerusalem's history. Other worthwhile clicks are the Jerusalem maps from five different periods of history, including a modern map of the Old City showing the Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim Quarters.

History of Plumbing in Jerusalem

4 stars

Without water there is no life. Learn how Jerusalem (and other ancient cities) got their water from this unusual article from Plumbing World. "From the city's inception, its lifeline of water depended solely on hidden wells and underground cisterns. Fed by underground streams, the Gihon Spring on Jerusalem's eastern slope was the ancient city's only source of water at that end. Depending on the season, the spring could supply water to the city once or twice a day for a 30- or 40-minute period of time."

Jerusalem Archaeological Park

5 stars

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park, adjacent to the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, is an "exceptional area which has captivated the world's imagination throughout history, has been designated as an archaeological park and open museum." Best clicks are the 360-degree panoramas that recreate the Herodian Temple Mount (look under Virtual Reconstruction Model) and the Historical Notes on the First and Second Temple Periods. If you are writing a high-school or college paper, there is a huge link section covering Second Temple Period and Early Islamic Period.

Tower of David: Museum of the History of Jerusalem

5 stars

My pick of the day is the Tower of David Museum site, which offers a exciting glimpse into the permanent collection of this real-life museum. "The exhibition offers primary sources for the existence of Jerusalem as far back as the Canaanite period, and illustrates the city's history through to early 20th century." Traverse the exhibit using the timeline, or the text menu just below it. In each room, be sure to click on "Selected Items from the Exhibit."