Zion Gate, The Last Supper and Shindler...

Gate to Mount Zion, King David's
Tomb and more...

We continue to explore the Old City of Jerusalem, discovering interesting and new venues as we go. Linda and her sister, Vickie, wanted to head back to the Western Wall with some notes to leave there. As we left the Jaffe Gate area and headed toward the Jewish Quarter, we passed through the Armenian section. I'm not sure they call it a "quarter", as it is quite small. Along the way is the Zion Gate.

Site of the Last Supper.

The Zion Gate leads to Mount Zion and the site of King David's Tomb and Jesus' Last Supper. It is home to a variety of Jewish and Christian centers. We saw, but didn't visit the Chamber of the Holocaust (Israel's first holocaust museum founded in 1948). We spotted at least two "Yeshiva study centers" (a Jewish orthodox college or seminary), and an Abbey. The Hagia Maria Sion Abbey, is the site of King David's Tomb. King David's rein is thought to be from 1010 to 1002 B.C.E. Of course, we visited the tomb and were impressed by the imposing bronze statue of King David just outside the entry.

We gained entrance to the room which, purportedly, is the site of Jesus's Last Supper. We stayed for a little while, taking in the historical significance of the room. It is a quiet and cool room on the second story of a building near David's Tomb. Interestingly, it is surrounded by some private residences. The top of the building has a wonderful view of Jerusalem.

Oskar Shindler's Grave.

As we began to leave Mount Zion and continue our trek toward the Jewish Quarter, an old "orthodox" women mentioned that Shindler's grave site was just a short walk in the opposite direction. So, we chose to take a look. We made our way down a steep hill and across a fairly busy street to a grave yard that, unfortunately, was locked. Although we couldn't see the grave site itself, we stood there for awhile, talking about Shindler's contribution to the Jewish people during World War II.

After visiting the Park of the Righteous yesterday, it adds a new and interesting perspective to Shindler's story. He saved 1200 Jews during the war. Of course, we know of him because of the Speilberg film "Shindler's List", but I wonder how many other "righteous people" of that time have interesting stories that haven't been told?

We finally made our way back to the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. Linda and Vickie -- and yours truly -- spent a few minutes at the Wall. We enjoyed a lite bagel lunch in the Jewish Quarter and set out to see the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount.  As it turns out, the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount are closed to all, except Muslims, until Sunday.  We'll try again then.

So, as always, check back again.....