Islamic Heritage

Price on request

כדי להכיר את הגליל מקרוב, כדאי לצאת מן האתרים המוכרים ולפגוש את האנשים שחיים כאן, מעבדים את האדמה, מבשלים ושומרים על מסורות משפחתיות. בעקבות ספרי, "לטייל עם מוריס בגליל", נצא למסע בין סיפורים, כפרים, חקלאות ואוכל מקומי. נוכל לבקר ביישובים יהודיים, מוסלמיים, נוצריים, דרוזיים וצ'רקסיים, ולהכיר את המסורות השונות המרכיבות את הפסיפס הגלילי. בבקעת בית נטופה נגלה חקלאות מסורתית וגידולים כמו במיה, לוביה ושומשום, ונראה כיצד האדמה, העונות ומנהגי המקום משפיעים על המטבח. בהתאם לעונה ולאפשרויות האירוח, נוכל להיכנס לבתים, לראות אפיית לחם בטאבון, לפגוש יצרנים מקומיים ולבקר ביקב משפחתי או במחלבה. לפעמים ארוחה ביתית היא לבו של היום, ואפשר לבדוק גם אפשרות לארוחת ערב או ללינה אצל מארחים מקומיים. המסלול ייבנה לפי העונה, המארחים הזמינים ותחומי העניין שלכם. אפשר להדגיש אוכל וטעימות, חקלאות, מסורות, מפגשים אישיים או לשלב ביניהם. מוריס צמח הוא מורה דרך מוסמך, חקלאי ומספר סיפורים, המדריך ברחבי הארץ מאז 1988. הוא נולד במושב מרגליות שבגבול הצפון, והגליל הוא ביתו. בסיוריו הוא מחבר בין נופים ואתרים לבין האנשים, המסורות, האוכל והסיפורים המקומיים. מוריס הוא גם מחברם של ספרים על הגליל, טבריה וראש פינה, ומביא להדרכה ידע אישי שנאסף במשך שנים של מפגשים, מחקר וטיולים.

Price on request

Within the sixteenth-century Ottoman walls of the Old City lies one of the most contested, densely layered urban landscapes on earth. While commonly divided into four distinct quarters, the living reality on the ground is an intricate mosaic of ancient history, theological claims, political tension, and daily coexistence. This field study cuts through standard tourist cliches to deliver an objective, deep-level examination of urban archaeology, living faith communities, and modern geopolitical realities. 1. The Temple Mount: Epicenter of Faith and Geopolitics The Sacred Esplanade: Enter the Mount during designated visiting hours for non-Muslims. We examine the monumental Herodian foundations, early Umayyad architecture, Crusader alterations, and Ottoman decorative work. The Strategic Flashpoint: Analyze the complex status quo governing the plateau, the role of the Jordanian Waqf, the Israeli security apparatus, and the competing religious narratives surrounding Mount Moriah, the First and Second Temples, and the Al-Aqsa compound. 2. The Four Quarters: Sacred Topography and Living Communities The Jewish Quarter: Walk through ancient history and modern renewal. Trace the archaeological sequence from the First Temple Broad Wall and Herodian aristocratic mansions to the Byzantine Cardo, the historic Sephardic synagogues, and the Western Wall. The Christian Quarter: Navigate the bustling alleyways leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Examine the complex custody arrangements shared by the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic churches, alongside smaller Eastern traditions that maintain a presence at the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. The Muslim Quarter: Experience the largest and most populous sector of the Old City. Walk the ancient market streets, inspect monumental Mamluk facades with their intricate stonework and stalactite vaults, and observe the vibrant pulse of local commerce. The Armenian Quarter: Discover the history of the oldest diaspora community in Jerusalem. Understand how this distinct enclave has preserved its language, unique script, tile-making heritage, and monastic traditions behind high stone walls since the fourth century. 3. Fortifications, Gates, and Urban Infrastructure Walls and Gates: Study the military engineering of Suleiman the Magnificent, the historical defense strategies of the city, and how ancient gate complexes regulated trade, defense, and pilgrims for millennia. Underground Jerusalem: Explore ancient water systems, subterranean streetscapes, and bedrock foundations that reveal how layers of destruction and rebuilding created the elevated street level seen today. --- Planning Your Exploration Navigating the Old City requires deliberate planning, physical readiness for extensive stone steps and uneven surfaces, and strict adherence to the operational hours and security protocols of the Temple Mount. This master overview serves as a comprehensive framework. We can focus on specific theological routes, prioritize underground archaeological excavations, or build a balanced single-day or multi-day survey aligned with your background and historical interests.

Price on request

The Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem offers a focused introduction to Islamic art, culture, science, and craftsmanship across many regions and centuries. Its collection includes ceramics, metalwork, textiles, jewellery, manuscripts, weapons, and scientific instruments. The museum also holds the rare collection of clocks assembled by Sir David Salomons, including works associated with the French royal clockmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. The story told through the collection is one of exchange rather than separation, with artistic styles, scientific ideas, materials, and skilled craftspeople moving across the Islamic world and between East and West.

Price on request

The Old City of Jerusalem (Tour #3.10) A full-day walking tour emphasizing Jerusalem as sacred to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The tour is organized “topographically,” in that we begin at the highest point of the city and work our down way the hills. Starting at the Jaffa Gate we ascend to the top of the Tower of David Museum for a breathtaking overview of the whole city. In the Christian Quarter we learn about the different denominations (Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Greek Catholic…) who established their presence in the quarter – as well as elsewhere in the city. We will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and discuss its historicity. After a break for lunch in the Jewish Quarter we will visit the quaint Old Yishuv Court Museum to see what life was like in the Jewish Quarter up until 1948. We will also tour the rebuilt Hurva Synagogue before descending to the Kotel: the Western Wall. Notes: Modest clothing is required. The tour will include entering churches. TOUR LENGTH: 5 to 7 hours (excluding breaks) MEETING POINT: Jaffa Gate ENDING POINT: The Kotel (Western Wall) – Dung Gate PRICE (total per group): ₪1300 (~$405) Entrance Fees NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Tower of David Museum: ₪10 per person Old Yishuv Court Museum: ₪20 per adult; ₪10 per senior citizen or child (to age of 18); ₪50 for family (parents + children up to 18 yrs old) Hurva Synagogue: ₪14 per adult; ₪7 per child

Price on request

The Tower of David stands beside Jaffa Gate, at the meeting point of Jerusalem’s Old City walls, markets, quarters, and main historical routes. The museum traces Jerusalem’s story through the city’s many rulers, faiths, communities, and transformations. A guided visit can serve as a strong introduction to the Old City before exploring its streets, churches, synagogues, mosques, and archaeological sites. The story of the Tower of David is the story of Jerusalem itself: no single ruler, faith, or community owns its past, yet each has left a lasting claim on the city’s stones and memory.

Price on request

Jaffa is one of the oldest ports on the Mediterranean, with a long history of trade, pilgrimage, conquest, and local Arab life. Its old lanes, harbour, churches, mosque, flea market, and sea views offer a different perspective on the Tel Aviv coast. A private walk can focus on Jaffa’s biblical and Christian traditions, Ottoman and Arab heritage, food, local markets, contemporary art, or the relationship between Jaffa and the newer city of Tel Aviv beside it. Jaffa’s story is one of continuity and change. An ancient port has remained a place of arrival, while the city around it has been reshaped by trade, migration, conflict, tourism, and the rise of Tel Aviv.