Mtskheta was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kartli, situated on the right bank of the Kura River, just a 20-minute drive from Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia. The Ancient City of Mtskheta was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 under cultural heritage criteria C (iii) and (iv). This ancient city...
Attraction Introduction According to tradition, in the Svaneti Valley, women were generally not allowed to enter the church because their blood “would defile this holy sanctuary.” Nana was able to enter the small church because she was pregnant at the time the photo was taken. For centuries, the Svans have been known for their fierce bravery, representing…
Introduction The Al-Aqsa Mosque is located right at the entrance leading up the stone steps from the Western Wall. It was built in 687 BC. This beautiful building with its golden dome is a landmark of Jerusalem—no matter from which angle you view the city, you can see the shimmering glow of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The mosque is octagonal, with each side measuring 21…
Ramallah is the collective name for the two cities of "Ramallah" and "al-Bireh," towns in central Palestine that were formerly within Jordanian territory. Located near Jerusalem to the north and atop the Judaean Mountains at an elevation of 872 meters, Ramallah was established during the 12th century under occupation, while the city of al-Bireh has a history that dates back to the Canaanite era prior to the - period...
Introduction Mount Zion is located south of the Old City and holds religious and historical significance for both Jews and Christians. In front of King David’s Tomb, Jews dressed in traditional clothing, holding candles and praying with fervent devotion, radiate a glow of reverence that is deeply moving. It is also the site of the Room of the Last Supper, a must-visit for Christians…
Introduction The Mount of Olives is located east of Jerusalem, the place where Jesus once preached, surrounded by olive trees. In the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the hill grows rosemary named "Memory," and next to it is the Church of All Nations in Gethsemane, also called the Church of Agony. The rock in front of the altar is said to be the place where Jesus spent his last night after being betrayed...
Introduction The Tower of David is the highest point in the Old City of Jerusalem, located in the Jewish Quarter near Jaffa Gate. This citadel, built approximately two thousand years ago by King Herod, has revealed ancient remnants over time including the Herodian city walls and three towers—Phasael Tower, Hippicus Tower, and Mariamne Tower—as well as architectural remains from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
Introduction The Al-Aqsa Mosque means the "mosque in the farthest place," facing the Dome of the Rock. It was built to commemorate the Prophet’s miraculous Night Journey from Mecca and Medina to this site, and has become another holy place in the Islamic world. The mosque was constructed in 709 AD during the reign of Caliph Al-Walid and remained until the late 13th century when...
Introduction Masada stands high in the desert area southwest of the Dead Sea, perched on steep mountains, overlooking the tranquil Dead Sea and the desolate yet vast wilderness from above. The fortress is situated in a strategically challenging location, with rugged and long mountain paths. Aside from the newly built cable car, there are two hiking trails to reach it: the western winding path has a gentler slope and was used in ancient times…
Introduction For five million years, the Dead Sea, lying between Israel and Jordan, has been one of the most unique places in the world, both scenically and culturally. It is said that when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he finally vanished on the hillsides along the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea gets its name because the amount of water evaporating from it far exceeds the freshwater flowing in, resulting in extremely high salinity. The salt concentration is four times that of ocean water, preventing any plants or animals from surviving. This also creates buoyancy several times greater than that of the ocean, so people floating in the Dead Sea do not sink but can experience a floating sensation unlike anywhere else in the world. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth’s surface, nearly 400 meters below sea level. It stretches about 60 kilometers from north to south and approximately 17 kilometers from east to west. The mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, as well as the extracted black mud, are said to have miraculous therapeutic effects on skin conditions. As a result, there are spas and lodging facilities along the Dead Sea that specialize in treating skin diseases. Towels and bathing equipment are also available for rent, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique experience of floating on the sea. The Dead Sea also serves as a border between Israel and Jordan. As it has become an inland sea, its ongoing rate of evaporation may eventually lead to its complete disappearance from the Earth. Therefore, during times of peace in the Middle East, plans to save the Dead Sea have been prioritized by both Israel and Jordan. “The Dead Sea shall not die” has become a shared wish of people around the world.
Land of Olives and Wine – the Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem is located a few kilometers southwest of Jerusalem, on the central plateau between Nablus and Hebron. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This cultural landscape belongs to the terraced agricultural landscape of Battir, consisting of a series of stone...
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route in Bethlehem is one of the newest World Heritage Sites inscribed on June 29, 2012. Due to water damage affecting the site, it was also simultaneously listed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This heritage site is located 10 kilometers south of Jerusalem and has been...
Jerusalem is composed of the word roots Jeru (city) and Salem (peace), meaning "City of Peace." It is a centrally located city in the State of Palestine and a world-renowned ancient city. Situated in the Near East Levant region, Jerusalem is a historic city geographically located in the Judaean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea…
Attraction Introduction A desert in southern Kazakhstan. Located between the Betpak-Dala steppe and the Karatau and Kyrgyz mountains. It covers an area of approximately 37,000 square kilometers. The northern part has an elevation of 300 meters, rising to 700 meters in the southeast. It features a continental climate with annual precipitation of 150–200 mm. The slopes are home to white saxaul and astragalus...
Attraction Introduction Located at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau on the northern slope of the Tien Shan, at an altitude of 1,691 meters and 18 kilometers from Almaty city, the summit offers a panoramic view of Almaty. Additionally, the mountain hosts the world’s largest high-altitude winter sports complex. The complex was built in 1972 and won the USSR State Prize in 1975...
Its interior houses a radio and television broadcasting station. Located on the slopes of Kok-Tobe in the southern part of Almaty at an altitude of 1,000 meters, the tower stands 372 meters tall with a power of 271 kilowatts. It covers an area within a radius of 80 to 190 kilometers, broadcasting 5 television channels and 4 radio channels. Adjacent to the TV tower…
Attraction Introduction: Located about 5 kilometers from the Medeo Ice Sports Complex, at an altitude of 2,230 meters, it features three cable car levels spanning approximately 1,500 meters in length, reaching heights of over 3,000 meters where snow remains year-round. The ski slopes extend for about 3,000 meters, making it a great destination for winter leisure and entertainment. Kazakhstan, Astana...
The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is located in Turkistan (formerly known as Yasi City), built during the Timurid period (1389–1405). It stands as an outstanding example of Timurid architecture and made significant contributions to the development of Islamic religious buildings, providing…
Introduction A city in northeastern Kazakhstan and the capital of East Kazakhstan Region. It lies on the piedmont area at the western foot of the Altai Mountains, at the confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers. Population: 307,000 (1985). Founded as a fortress in 1720 and became a city in 1868. An important river port and a key center for non-ferrous metallurgy. …
Introduction to Attractions A city in northwestern Kazakhstan and the capital of Aktobe Region. It is located on the left bank of the Ilek River, a tributary of the Ural River. Population: 231,000 (1985). Established as a military fortress in 1869 and became a city in 1891. It lies on the Orenburg–Tashkent railway line and is near chromium ore deposits. Features…