 Proclaimed as the capital of Israel (this is not recognized by the international community), Jerusalem is a city that has undergone centuries of religious and territorial warfare as well as destruction and rebuilding. Its history of conflict has made the city the wonderful yet tension-ridden metropolis it is today, with its hotpot of cultures and faiths. The Holy City, as it is also known, is one of the world’s major religious centres for Jews, Christians and Muslims, with many prominent sites and places of worship located in the heart of the city. The Old City is the heart of historical Jerusalem, while outside the old city walls is the Jewish-populated vibrant New City, also known as West Jerusalem. East Jerusalem houses a largely Arab community and a territory that was under Jordanian control for 19 years until 1967.
 Most visitors to Jerusalem choose to stay in the Old City, where they can explore the city’s most treasured sites on foot with ease. This part of the city has a variety of accommodation, ranging from small hotels to religious hospices and hostels. Alternatively, West Jerusalem has an abundance of accommodation options including guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs and also has the convenience of being close to shopping, dining and nightlife venues. Staying in East Jerusalem provides quite a different experience, as this area is characterised by souks and Arabian charms. This district is still heavily policed and some of its buildings are in disrepair.
The quality of lodgings very much depends on the price. All pocketbook levels are represented - everything from five-star hotels to very basic hostels offering dormitory style rooms. One thing that is characteristic about accommodation establishments in the city is that they are typically small, with the ancient city squeezing in small hotels wherever they will fit.
Visitors are recommended to book hotels well in advance, as popular places to stay fill up quickly; especially during religious conventions, festivals and events, when the city can become very crowded.
History
The Judean hills were used as settlements as far back as the Stone Age. The city gained mention in Egyptian hieroglyphs and also in the Bible. In 1000 BC the city came under the control of King David. Later, under King Solomon, the city became a centre for Judaism.
 Jerusalem was, however, to undergo capture, destruction and rebuilding many times over the following centuries, with the conquest by Alexander the Great in 333BC being significant. Over the next 300 years, the city passed through many hands, with several leaders trying to enforce different religions other than Judaism. This led to many revolts by the Jews that were living there. It was not until 326 AD that the city became a centre for Christianity, when Constantine’s mother, Queen Helena, visited the city and established a church on the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.
 The Muslims arrived in 637 AD, conquering the city and building the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. Jerusalem remained an Islamic city until the Crusaders captured it in 1099. The Turks took the city in 1517 and the city’s walls were built. The end of WWII saw the beginning of many problems for Jerusalem. War broke out between Arabs and Jews shortly after the UN suggested Palestine be divided. The state of Israel was created in 1948 which further fuelled the conflict. The eastern half of Jerusalem soon came under Jordanian occupation and it wasn’t until the Six Day War in 1967 that the Old City was recaptured by Israel in pre-emptive attacks on its neighbours. The Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip led to the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) under Yasser Arafat, who vowed to reclaim Palestinian land.
Despite international attempts to intervene and assist in resolving the Israeli - Palestine conflict, the situation is yet to be defused, leaving the region politically unstable.
Weather
Summers in Israel can be scorching, with temperatures reaching 40°C in July and August, and little rain. Things cool down in the period from November to March, when Jerusalem experiences its wettest time of year. Temperatures in the winter can drop to below 0°C.
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