ST. GEORGE'S CATHEDRAL. This cathedral, which features a gothic-style nave
and one of Jerusalem's most impressive organs, is the cathedral church of the
Anglican Episcopal Dicocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The 100-year-old
cathedral is now home to both Arabic and English speaking congregations, both of
which welcome visitors at their services. (On the right, past the intersecbon and the gas
stations along Nablus Rd. я 628 32 61. Open daily 6:30am-6:30pm. Free. Also nins a beautiful
guest house, see )
TOMBEAU DES ROIS (TOMB OF THE KINGS). Judean kings were once thought
to be buried here, but evidence shows that the tomb was in fact built in 45 CE by
the Mesopotamian Queen Helena for her family. The deep tombs are dimly lit and
practically require crawling to enter. (On Salah al-Din St. at the intersection with Nablus
Rd. Open M-Sa 8am-lpm and 3-5pm. NIS3.)
ROCKEFELLER ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. This museum records the region's
history, beginning with the 250,000-350,000 year old remains of the "Galilee Man"
(the oldest remains from the Levant), and it chronicles the cultural impact of
imperialism. Check out the impressive, intricately carved wood panels from the
9th-century al-Aqsa Mosque. The museum was designed in the 1920s by British
architect Austen S. B. Harrison in his inimitable Orientalist-Gothic style. (In East
Jerusalem on Suleiman St. at the northeastern corner of the Old City walls. Take Egged bus #1
toward the Old City from the city center. s628 22 51. Open Su-Th 10am-5pm, F-Sa 10am-2pm.
NIS26, students NIS16.)
Ш museums
ISRAEL MUSEUM
Take bus #9 or 17 from King George St. On foot, walk up King George, turn onto Ramban,
cross Hazaz, and walk up Ruppin St. Open Su-
M and W-Th 10am-5pm, Tu 4-10pm, F 10am-2pm, Sa 10am~4pm. The Shrine of the Book is
open the same hours except on Tu, open lOam-lOpm. English Museum Highlights tours Su-
M and W-Fllam, Tu 4:30pm. English guided tours of the Shrine Su-M and W-Th 1:30pm, Tu
3pm, and F 12:45pm. Admission to museum and Shrine NIS37, students NIS30, children (3-
17) NIS20, family NIS108. Fee includes EZ-listening audio guide and admission to Rock-
efeller Museum; go to the Rockefeller first and the reciprocal deal saves NIS5. Repeat visit
within one month half-price. NIS125 annual student membership allows unlimited entrance to
the Israel and Rockefeller Museums.
The Israel Museum is the largest and most comprehensive museum in Israel. With
extensive collections of antiquities, sculptures, ancient and modern art, books, the
legendary Dead Sea Scrolls, and even a childrens' section with hands-on exhibits,
the museum has nearly as many facets as the country itself.
Rock and rust enthusiasts should go straight to the archaeology section (pick up
a map upon entering), where an extensive collection of tools and weapons records
30,000 years of human habitation in the Fertile Crescent. Guided English "Archae-
ological Treasures" tours are given on Monday and Thursday at 3pm. Straight
ahead from the bottom of the steps is the ethnography exhibit, tracing the impor-
tant events of the Jewish life cycle. Guided English "Jewish Heritage" tours of the
Judaica and ethnography galleries are given Sunday and Wednesday at 3pm.
The museum boasts a fabulous collection of art, including the largest display of
IsraeU art in the world. There is a fairly large Impressionist and Post-Impressionist
collection and even a few period rooms (including a spectacular French Rococo
salon donated by the Rothschilds). The Weisbord Pavilion, directly across from the
ticket building, houses a few Rodin sculptures, early modern paintings, and tem-
porary exhibitions. The Billy Rose Sculpture Garden displays some incredible mas-
terpieces by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and Pablo Picasso. Pick up a schedule
of evening outdoor concerts at the museum, and try to visit on a Tuesday night
when the garden is illuminated.