Visiting Israel: Jerusalem Museums

While Jerusalem’s most popular tourist attractions lie within and around the Old City, there are plenty of interesting museums and monuments to see in what is known as Western Jerusalem. A must-see stop for anyone interested in Israeli architecture is the Israel Museum. Comprised of five main sections, this is an excellent spot to see religious artifacts, archaeological finds, Impressionist paintings, and even a beautifully designed Japanese garden. The most popular draw, however, are the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are located in the Shrine of the Book.

The Yad VaShem Memorial and Holocaust Museum is a huge building dedicated to commemorating and remembering those six million souls who were murdered by the Nazis during World War II. The most recent addition to the complex is the Holocaust Museum which was just completed in 2005. Here you will find perhaps the largest collection of Holocaust related items donated by those who survived it. You will find many personal items, including diaries, photos, and letters, as well as videos of survivors recanting their personal experiences.

The Bible Lands Museum is another interesting museum where you will find a huge private collection of Near Eastern artifacts that were donated by Dr. and Mrs. Borowski. As you walk through the chronologically arranged halls, you will find artifacts dating as far back as 1550 BC. If you love ancient art you will really enjoy this museum which as Assyrian, Minoan, Egyptian, Roman, and other ancient art pieces that will fascinate and enthrall you.

You might also enjoy visiting the Sir Isaac and Lady Edith Wolfson Museum where you can see a wonderful collection of Judaic religious items and antiques. Having recently been renovated, the museum is a great place to see antique menorahs, mezuzot, wedding contracts, and other items. You will also find a nice collection of contemporary Judaic art made by local artisans.