Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
🇮🇹 Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)📅 1981 Inscribed
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As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. Among its 220 historic monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral motifs. It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's tomb.
Insight I
The Dome of the Rock is one of the oldest surviving examples of Islamic architecture.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre marks both the site where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he was buried.
Due to restrictions on access to the Temple Mount, the Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray outside the Temple Mount platform.
Insight II
After the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Old City came under Jordanian control. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem and remains in control today. The international community considers East Jerusalem part of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Insight III
This may be the only World Heritage site where the present surpasses the past—territorial disputes and religious coexistence continue to reshape its historical meaning.
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