Day 13, Western Wall tunnels, wailing wall

Olives on Olive Trees

Old City Jerusalem. This is the plaza as we enter into the Western wall. This is also known as Mt. Moriah. The Western Wall was built as a retaining wall buillt by Herod in 20 BC

The Orthodox Jews grow out just the front portion of their hair, I asked if I could take this picture the one said yes. Orthodox men are very serious looking and will not look at women. I found it very evident that there is a lot of religion going on.

From this picture you can see in the background the walk way up to the Dome of the Rock. To the left of these young men is the wailing wall.

We have just entered the Western Wall Tunnels also known as the Rabbinical tunnels that lead through the second temple era.

These are underground tunnels of Herod, they are 50 ft below ground level and run along the Western Wall.  They have uncovered remains dating back to King Solomon.

They are still excavating today

It is all done one pale at a time.

This is a straight on shot of the Western Wall the tunnel runs left from here.

These are two young men that where in our group the are marking the length of this one stone .Crazy! How did they move that one???? Notice the cap on his head the men had to have their heads covered???

This is a close up shot of the Western Wall also known as the wailing wall, but we are underground lots of prayer notes, in any little crevice of the wall, mine included! Hey I'm not going that far and not put a prayer at the wailing wall. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers!

In the tunnel Western Wall to the left.

 I walked where Jesus walked and many many many others

This is how they got their water in from the cistern

Maybe a better shot can you see the little wall there is a passage between the two to run water in.

There was plenty of light and for the little bit of claustrephobic I have. I was very grateful. Dark and small spaces freak me out!

The tunnels were fascinating to me!

This is a super cool shot notice how the tunnel goes on!

This is the end of the tunnel, the cistern

This was pretty interesting the story of how you got out of the tunnel. The arch behind the group leads to the Jewish quarters, they asked if the tunnel could come up there they said no.

The steps lead up the the Moslem quarters and they said no. So they made an exit onto Hagai street, were I bought my nativity set, made of olive wood!

More to come! hang with me!