Oddly enough, but it is religious tourism that is considered one of the oldest forms of travel. Thousands of true believers since ancient times considered it obligatory for themselves to visit places sacred to their religion. Many sought to touch the relics for the sake of healing themselves or their loved ones. At the present stage, another goal of such trips has become no less popular - simple curiosity. Who will refuse the opportunity to see the places where history used to take place, walk along the paths where the feet of the great prophets set foot, enjoy the grandeur of the ancient walls.
Pilgrimage tourism in Israel attracts hundreds of thousands of believers. The relics of the three great religions are concentrated here: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Even people who are far from any faith have heard of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, they know what the Church of the Holy Sepulcher or the Wailing Wall is. Therefore, do not be surprised at the crowds that flood the streets of ancient cities not only on holidays, but also on weekdays.
Christian religious tourism is most in demand on such iconic dates as Christmas and Easter. Regular tours offered by various operators are designed for ten days. This is the optimal amount of time to visit sacred objects, to feel like a particle of history. However, no one forbids to travel on their own. Religious tourism in Israel is one of the most important sources of income for the country, therefore, pilgrims are always welcomed everywhere.
All tourists tend to visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mount Sinai, Nazareth. These are the main points for any pilgrim. The Way of Christ is one of the most popular tourist routes. It touches places associated with the last days of Jesus' life. Here you can follow the road along which the captured prophet was taken to the high priest for trial, and along Via Dolorosa, or the Sorrowful Way. It was through him that the Son of God walked to Calvary to accept martyrdom and thereby atone for human sins.
On and around Golgotha over time, 40 buildings arose, among which the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Resurrection are considered the most famous . Here, one way or another, all the places marked with the execution of Christ are marked: whoever stood where, walked, prayed, etc.
Orthodox pilgrims who come to Israel just touch the cradle of faith, and not just see sacred places, tend to stay for the night in the Gornensky monastery, which was once specially built for this purpose .
Israeli land and many Muslim shrines. One of the places of pilgrimage is the Golden Dome Mosque. At its core, the Golden Dome is not a mosque, since prayers are not carried out in it. According to legend, a monumental building was erected in order to mark the place where the "cornerstone of the Earth" is located. The "cornerstone" itself is a huge fragment of rock, which was formed from a lightning strike at the time of the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad.
Another no less famous mosque is Al-Aqsa. Erected in the 8th century, it survived many raids and cataclysms. However, they only strengthened it and attracted the attention of thousands of pilgrims. Today it is a huge building, striking in its grandeur. It is covered by a grandiose black dome, and underground rooms are also famous for their size.
It should be noted that, despite the widespread presence of Christian and Muslim shrines, the history of Israel is still more connected with Jews and Judaism. However, there are very few people who want to delve into this topic. Religious tourism is also not particularly designed to reveal such historical facts. This is not surprising, because a lack of demand causes a lack of supply. Nevertheless, it will not be superfluous for anyone to visit the Temple Mount, wander around the city of David, visit the cave of the forefathers and the ancient city of Safed. This is the only way to fully discover the beauty and originality of the Holy Land.
Tourism in Israel will be interesting not only for true believers. Many so-called secular tours are organized here, designed for those who simply wish to enjoy the historical sites and the beauty of this mysterious country.