The Old City--A View from the Top

Yesterday, our group returned to the Old City to walk the Via Dolorosa (I insisted on showing everybody the water cistern as well). It was recommended to us that we go to the top of the Austrian Hospice in the Muslim Quarter. The roof of the building afforded us the most beautiful view of the Old City, Mount of Olives, and Temple Mount. A couple of pictures are below:

An aerial shot of the Muslim Quarter. Most apartments are ABOVE the shops, which is why you can see all the power lines and satellite dishes.



A Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. It is believed that the resurrection of the dead will begin here, which is why many Jews opt to be buried in this location.



The Dome of the Rock (the best picture yet)!



The dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A short distance away (though not pictured) is the bell tower of the Lutheran church. Ah, the ecumenism.



Our group in front of the Dome of the Rock.