Western Wall
The Temple Mount has a long and complex history, spanning thousands of years and multiple civilizations, each leaving its mark on the site.
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall or HaKotel HaMa'aravi, is one of the most significant religious and historical sites in Judaism. It is a remnant of the massive retaining wall that once surrounded the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. For centuries, the wall has been a focal point for Jewish prayer, mourning, and pilgrimage, symbolizing both the destruction of the temple and the enduring connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. Though it is not part of the temple itself, it is the closest accessible structure to where the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the temple, once stood. This proximity makes it the holiest prayer site in Judaism outside the Temple Mount itself.
The wall has been a site of deep religious significance for over two millennia, surviving various rulers and empires, including the Byzantines, Muslims, Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans. During the long periods of foreign rule, Jewish access to the site was often restricted or regulated. The name Wailing Wall emerged in medieval times, referring to the Jewish tradition of lamenting the destruction of the temple. Under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967, Jews were prohibited from visiting the site, but following the Six-Day War, Israel regained control of the Old City, and the Western Wall Plaza was expanded into a major area for worship and national ceremonies. Today, it remains a site of prayer, religious gatherings, and military swearing-in ceremonies, serving as a powerful symbol of Jewish identity and resilience.
Golden Gate of the Temple Mount (left). al-Aqsa Mosque (right).
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall runs along the western side of the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit in Hebrew, Al-Haram al-Sharif in Arabic). The visible portion of the wall in the prayer plaza is approximately 57 meters long and 19 meters high, though the entire structure extends much deeper underground. Excavations have revealed additional sections of the wall, including subterranean tunnels that provide insight into the original construction and the urban layout of ancient Jerusalem. The Western Wall Tunnels, accessible to visitors, showcase well-preserved Herodian stonework and an archway that once supported a bridge leading to the Temple Mount.
The architecture of the Western Wall reflects its Herodian origins, built with massive limestone blocks characteristic of Second Temple period construction. The largest stone, known as the Western Stone, is over 13 meters long and weighs hundreds of tons, demonstrating the advanced engineering skills of the period. The lower sections of the wall date back to the time of Herod the Great (reigned circa 37–4 BCE), while upper portions were added in later periods. The precisely cut stones, fitted together without mortar, exhibit the distinctive margins and smooth faces seen in other Herodian structures.
The interior of the Western Wall includes underground areas that extend beneath the present-day city. These tunnels reveal archways, ritual baths (mikva'ot), and hidden passages, offering a glimpse into Jerusalem’s architectural and religious history. The Wilson’s Arch section, located within the tunnels, serves as an indoor prayer area, particularly for Orthodox Jewish men. Other underground discoveries, such as the Great Bridge, suggest complex urban planning and connections to the temple infrastructure.
Beyond its architectural and religious significance, the Western Wall is a place of personal devotion and collective identity. It is customary for visitors to place written prayers into the crevices of the ancient stones, a tradition that reflects the wall’s role as a conduit between individuals and the divine. It serves as a gathering point for Jewish holidays, including Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, and Jerusalem Day, which marks the reunification of the city in 1967. While the site is predominantly associated with Jewish worship, it is also a point of interfaith and political tension, given its location adjacent to the Temple Mount, a site of profound significance in Islam and Christianity. Despite ongoing disputes, the Western Wall remains a defining landmark of Jerusalem, embodying the spiritual and historical depth of the city.
