Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ:
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[ Jerusalem - New City ]
[ Bethlehem, Jericho and the Dead Sea ]
[ Along the Mediterranean Coast ]
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The pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II to the Holy Land:
Tuesday, March 21st, 2000: The Pope landed at Ben-Gurion Airport, Israel (near Tel-Aviv), a short flight from the Kingdom of Jordan aboard Royal Jordanian Airways; welcomed by the President of Israel, Ezer Weizmann, the Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, Government Ministers and many officials.
Wednesday, March 22nd: A helicopter ride east, the Pope visited the Baptismal point on the River Jordan not far from Jericho in the Jordan Valley; then returned to the Judean Mountains ridge and was the guest of the Palestinian Authority. Drove through the streets of Bethlehem; was greeted warmly by the crowds outside the Church of the Nativity, then entered the dim grotto and sank to his knees in prayer. Later he visited a refugee camp nearby.
Thursday, March 23rd: The Pope held morning Mass on Mount Zion at the Church of the Dormition, the site of The Supper; later was greeted by the President of Israel, Ezer Weizmann at his residence, then continued to the Yad Vashem Hall of Memory (the Holocaust Museum), commemorating the 6 million Jews that perished in the Nazi concentration camps during the Second world War.
Friday, March 24th: An hour by helicopter from Jerusalem to Korazim, on the shore of Lake Galilee, for the huge mass at the Mount of Beatitude. A crowd of 100,000 waited for hours since dawn for his arrival. Regardless of the bad weather conditions, the ceremony was held as planned.
Saturday, March 25th: The Pope was once again flown by helicopter, to Nazareth in Galilee, to attend the ceremony at the Church of the Annunciation, the religious center of the Christian Arab population of Northern Israel; on his arrival back in Jerusalem he visited the Gethsemane Basilica.
Sunday, March 26th: The highlight of the journey to Jerusalem: the Pope visited the centers for the three religions: first the Temple Mount (Moslem); then a very short distance away he arrived at the Western Wall (Jewish) where the Pope once again called for peace and friendship for all mankind; he continued to the Holy Sepulcher (Christian). The Pope departed the Holy Land later that day on board El-Al Israel Airlines Flight 2000 back to the Vatican in Rome.
Thousands of pilgrims arrived to accompany him, while many millions wished they could, and had to watch His Holiness on the TV. I offer a virtual tour to all the places included in the Pope's visit. Also - authentic religious items are on sale at very reasonable prices.
Join the virtual guided tour of the Holy Land. Visit and observe the places where 2 millenia ago, Jesus of Nazareth lived and was loved. The tour is divided according to the regions of the country - Part One - starting in the north: Nazareth, Lake of Galilee; Part Two and Three - to the central mountain ridge: Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Judeah; descend to the - Part Four - plains of Jericho, Jordan Valley and Dead Sea; and finish with a trip _ Part Five - along the Coast from the northern border with Lebanon to the southern border with Egypt.
TOUR 1: Start with the northern region of Israel: the city of
Nazareth, a short drive to the village of
Kefar Kana, the site of the Miricle of the Wine, then
climb
Mount Tabor and down to the shores of
Lake Galilee
to ancient Roman city Tiberias, still thriving
today as in the ancient world. Visit
Capernaum
where
Jesus spent many of his years studying the holy scriptures; take a boat ride on the waters of Lake of Galilee aboard wooden-made vessels just like those used by fishermen of ancient times. A visit to a museum at a kibbutz will reveal an Ancient Boat discovered and excavated from the mud at a low-tide a few years ago. Travelling, north then east, around the shores of the lake (also known as Lake Kinneret), cross the Arik Bridge where the River Jordan enters the lake. Further along the road we pass the ancient remains of Cursi (5th century Byzantine monastery and church), and Beit Zeidah, then along the narrow strip of shore between the lake and the slopes of the Golan Heights, (used to be in Syrian hands until the 1967 Six Day War). Passing several kibbutzim settlements: Ein-Gev, ha-On and Ma'agan. At the southern tip of the lake we once again cross the River Jordan, this time at the official
Baptismal Spot (Yardenit).
The slow running river continues southward towards the Dead Sea.
TOUR 2: Jerusalem - Ascend the Judean Mountains to the Holy City of
Jerusalem:
built by the Hitiens many centuries ago, this city was always inhabited, in war-time and in peace-time. Every century with its special structures added on top of the previous ones, making the city one of the most interesting places on this planet. The tour starts on the hills circling the Old City: from the ridge of Mount Scopus to the summit of Mount of olives, we enjoy the unique views of the city, the center to the three religions.
TOUR 3: Jerusalem - The short walk from the Old City gates (Jaffa Gate or New Gate) transfers us immediately to the story of the city in the last 150 years. As the crowded alleys could not occupy the inhabitants any more, settlements started to emerge outside the walls of the city: The Jewish Quarters of Yemin Moshe, Nahalat Shivah, Mea Shearim and later the quarters next to today's bustling Mahane Yehuda market. These were the years when many foreign nations gained a strong hold in Jerusalem and built many fine building. The Street of the Prophets (Hanevi'im Street) is a fine example. Turning westward, we arrive at the new quarters built in the laste 30's, and ascend the hill to Mount Herzel, and nearby the minitured size replica of the City of Jerusalem in the time of King Herod. A short drive down the winding road will bring us to the small village of Ein-Kerem, the birth place of John the Baptist.
Driving through the dry and barren Judean Desert the winding road passes the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and as we drop below sea level, to the oldest city on earth: Jericho. Visit the excavations and the monasteries. The road south along the shore of the Dead Sea, stop at the ruins of Kumran, the home of the Essenes, then past the springs of Ein Fesh'ha. The route continues past the oasis of Ein Gedi, an Israeli settlement on the shores of the Dead Sea, a large nature reserve that covers two wadis with running fresh water: Nahal David and Nahal Arugot. A short drive brings us to the base of Massada, a natural fortress built on a flat-top mountain, fortified by King Herod the Great, later was the dwellings of Jewish Zealots. During the Jewish Revolt against the Romans, Massada was to become a Jewish stronghold, a classic example for heroism of few against the mighty force of armies. Until this day the words "Massada shall not fall again" are echoed by thuosands of youngsters and soldiers when they are swarn-in on the mountain top.
TOUR 5: A trip along the coast of the Mediterranean from the most northern point on the Israeli border, Rosh ha-Nikra, southwards past the ancient city of Akko then around the bay to the city of Haifa. Cesaria named in honor of the Emperor Augustus Caesar, was built in 22 BC., a city and a large port. Further down the coast we reach the bustling "Gush Dan": a cluster of villages now turned towns built around the first Jewish city of Tel-Aviv. Hugging the city is Jaffa, one of the oldest cities on this side of the Mediterranean. Continue south to the Philistine city of Ashkelon only a few miles from the Egyptian border, where our trip ends.
To start your journey return to the top of the page and press any of the blue-directional links. If this is your first visit to the country it would be wise to turn first to the Arriving page.
Photography - Camera: Topcon S, Konica Tx, Minolta 500si: Lens: 50mm, 35-70mm, 210mm Telephoto. Film: Kodak Color for prints (100 ASA), AGFA negative.
Philip travels light: Photo taken by Pamella Matthews, a friend from Los Angeles, while on a trip to India. Udaipur, Rajasthan, January 1999. 
Your Guide
Philip
Harris, born in Manchester (1945), England, emigrated with parents to newly established
State of Israel in 1948. Has lived in Jerusalem for almost 40 years. As a youngster living in a divided city (a result of the War of Independence in 1948) he devoted much of his free time watching across the barbed wire fences toward the Old City then under the occupation of Jordan. After school hours he used to attend free lectures given by the late Prof. Zev Vilnay, an historian and geograph well known for his travel guides of Israel. Vilnay lectures covered the whole Holy Land of those days when the boundaries still did not exist. Philip wished that one day he too will walk and discover the countryside beyond the borders. At the age of 13 he received his first Agfa box camera with a 8 picture roll in it from the Emka Photo, directed by Dr. Kurt Mairowitz, a press photographer. The combined knowledge of the country and the urge to display it on film has eventually lead to the composing of this work. Although Philip works as a computer expert in a leading firms in Tel-Aviv, his free time is devoted to his love for nature, the countryside and the long and exciting history of the land. Traveling the country in detail, searching and discovering new places on every trip. During his military service he joined as a volunteer for the dig at the historical site of Massada.
=== Site is updated on a regular basis. The visit of his Holiness the Pope to the Holy Land, has inspired my efforts to continue and update the site from time to time. Please return and enjoy the changes Philip ===