Jerusalem

Jerusalem
El Asqua Mosque and the Dome of the Rock
　　Jerusalem is arguably the world's most revered city. It's the city of King David （1，000 B.C.）， the place of Christ's last ministry and crucifixion， and the site where the prophet Mohammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. Over a turbulent 3，000-year history， Jerusalem has seen more than its share of sieges， while Jews， Christians， and Muslims have all tried their hand at ruling the city. 　　During the centuries of the Crusades， Jerusalem was the ethereal vision that moved the armies of Europe and Islam， but for almost 700 years after the Crusades ended， the actual city of Jerusalem existed as a shadowy， forgotten backwater， slowly falling into ruin and decay. Not until the 19th century did the city again begin to come alive and reemerge from behind its walls. 　　During the years of the British Mandate（1918-48） the current incarnation of Jerusalem developed as a quiet religious center， tourist attraction， and university town in a remarkably beautiful mountain setting. Nineteen years of division by war， barbed wire， and minefields （1948-67） brought Jerusalem's gentle renaissance to a temporary halt.