Alonzo, Cruz, Jimeno, Munar

11J

Judaism

Everyone: Good morning/afternoon! Before we start with our tour, we would like to take this
opportunity to thank you for choosing us for your tours!

1: Alright! The building that you are seeing right before your very eyes is the Temple Mount. Said
building is considered the holiest place by Jewish people.

2: Indeed! Hey did you guys know that a lot of other different buildings have been built on the very
same spot that the Temple Mount is built?

3: That sounds interesting, huh? One of the earliest building built on this spot was the Temple for God,
built by King Solomon, during the 10th Century BCE. That building was later destroyed by the Babylonians
during 586 BCE.

4: A new, but small temple was built on this spot by the Jews as they were returning from Babylon.

1: 500 years later, under King Herod the great’s rule, the previous temple was replaced with what was
said to be “the biggest project ever made.”

2: Fast forward to 7th Century CE, after a long revolt against the Roman rulers and the capture of
Jerusalem, all of the buildings on top were destroyed, along with parts of the floor and retaining walls.

3: In 7th cent. CE, Islam took hold of the country. Since that time, the place has been a holy Muslim site.
The walls and floor were restored, and the mosques we see today were built then.

4: That’s sure a long and interesting history, isn’t it? But, enough of the history, for we shall now explore
the excavations of the Temple Mount.

1: Here, you can see the Herodian western and southern walls

2: Seen here is the main street of the Jewish city near the wall, nicknamed Wall Street.

3: What you’re seeing now is the base of the western wall on the bedrock, and the drainage canal under
the street.

4: Here are remains of shops and ritual baths (mikvahs).

1: The Roman destruction of the site, as evidenced by large fallen stones, is seen on this spot.

2: Lastly, located here are the remains of the steps and gates, which were used by most of the Jewish
pilgrims.
3: This marks the end of our trip! We hope that you all enjoyed our tour of this sacred temple!

4: We hope to see you once again! ‘Til the next trip!