And, don't forget the pilgrim shops with gifts to take home, from religious art carved in beautifully grained olive wood, to mother of pearl covered Bibles. Finally, a stroll through the Old City of Jerusalem would not be complete without stopping to reflect and pray at holy sites that commemorate the very roots of our faith. A walk along the Via Dolorosa is an event experienced by most pilgrims. The church's many chapels of various denominations give testimony of the faithful Christian pilgrims who have come here since the days of Jesus, to relive the last footsteps of Jesus in Jerusalem before His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Another important site to Jews and Christians is the Western Wall, which is a remnant of the outside retaining wall of a great platform built by King Herod on which the ornate Second Temple stood.
Archaeology is another feature of a stroll through the Old City.
Not only are there the living artifacts like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall or the Dome of the Rock mosque on the Temple Mount, there are new discoveries made in the past 30 years. The Old City of Jerusalem offers unending opportunities to experience one's faith in a new way, see the ancient stones of the past and feel history all around you, and enjoy the sites, sounds and tastes of today. As a travel destination, I believe Jerusalem should be the destination of every person once in their life. This is especially true for Christians and Jews to come to this remarkable city that validates the very foundation of our faith.