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On Mount Zion, A Crossroads Of Faith And Fable

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From the supposed tomb of King David to the site of the Last Supper, one of the world’s holiest hilltops remains a multi-tiered enigma

After the crumbling walls of the Old City were repaired by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, he assumed everything had been done to his liking. But on his tour around the walls, the story goes, he suddenly fell into a terrible rage. His two architects had left historic Mount Zion outside the walls! Fully aware of Mount Zion’s strategic and religious value, the furious Sultan reputedly executed them both.

A fascinating tour of this very same Mount Zion includes a visit to some of the holiest sites on earth, like Dormition Abbey, whose name is an abbreviation for the longer phrase in Latin: Dormitio Beatae Mariae Virginis — the slumber of the Saint Virgin Mary.

During the Byzantine period many Christian traditions arose, among them the belief that Mary wasn’t dead but lay deep in eternal sleep. Mary’s crypt was said to be here, and Dormition Abbey was built over the 14th-century church believed to house it. Completed in 1910, the Abbey’s massive towers give it the look of a medieval fortress.

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Read the full article over at The Times of Israel.

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Our two-week trip to Israel was one of the best experiences of our lives. Shmuel knows the country like the back of his hand and takes you not only to everything you want to see but to fascinating places you haven't even heard os! We saw a more complete Israel than any of our friends on regular organized tourist trips. Shmuel taught us a great deal about the geography and history of the places we visited. He also has a great sense of humor, is a lot of fun to be with and picks great places to eat. We could not recommend more highly and more enthusiastically seeing Israel with Shmuel as your guide.

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