Jerusalem is an ancient city considered holy by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Settled over 5,000 years ago near the Gihon Spring, it has been captured 44 times. Learn why this small city became the spiritual center for billions of people around the world.
Have you ever heard of a city so special that three huge world religions all call it holy? Get ready, because we're traveling back in time to one of the oldest and most talked-about places on Earth: Jerusalem!
This incredible city, nestled in the rocky hills between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, has a history that stretches back over 5,000 years! That means people were living here even before the giant pyramids in Egypt were fully finished! Jerusalem wasn't always the big, famous city it is today; it started as a small settlement near a spring. Over thousands of years, it has been a prize possession, changing hands over 40 times! It's famous because it is a spiritual epicenter for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Mira says:
"Wow, 5,000 years! That's like having 100 amazing history podcasts all stacked on top of each other! I can't wait to learn about the kings and temples!"
What is Jerusalem’s Story Beginning?
The very first people settled near a vital water source called the Gihon Spring around 3000 BCE (that's over 5,000 years ago!). Back then, it was a small town ruled by the Canaanites, who built huge walls to keep safe.
The first written mention of the city was in ancient Egyptian texts around 2000 BCE, where they called it 'Rusalimum.' Think about that—this city was already ancient when the dinosaurs were just a distant memory in books!
The real story for many people starts around 1000 BCE when King David captured the city and made it the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel. His son, King Solomon, then built the magnificent First Temple there, making Jerusalem a major religious heart for the Jewish people.
Mind-Blowing Fact!
The name 'Jerusalem' might come from two Hebrew words: 'yireh' (will see) and 'shalem' (peace or wholeness)! So it could mean 'City of Peace'!
How Many Times Has Jerusalem Fought For?
Because Jerusalem is so important to so many people, it has seen more action than almost any other city! Imagine trying to keep your favorite toy safe when everyone wants to play with it—that’s been Jerusalem’s life for thousands of years.
Over its long history!
And recaptured by different rulers.
The First and Second Temples were destroyed.
By Suleiman the Magnificent (Ottoman Empire).
How Did Christianity and Islam Become Part of the Story?
As time marched on, new faiths also saw Jerusalem as incredibly important. Judaism is the oldest tradition connected to the city, but the story keeps growing!
For Christians, Jerusalem is sacred because it is where Jesus Christ lived, taught, was crucified, and resurrected. When the Romans controlled the area, Christianity started to grow there into the faith we know today.
Later, in the 600s CE (Common Era), Islam arose, and Jerusalem became its third holiest city, after Mecca and Medina. Muslims call it Al-Quds and revere it for the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey.
The Holy Spots for Each Faith
Today, the Old City is like a puzzle made of different neighborhoods, and you can find amazing, ancient landmarks for all three religions.
For Jews, the Western Wall (or Kotel) is the most sacred place to pray—it's what remains of the Second Temple area.
For Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a major site, believed to be where Jesus was crucified and buried.
For Muslims, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount are incredibly important shrines.
💡 Did You Know?
The walls that surround the Old City today were built by the Ottoman Empire's Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538! They are about 2.5 miles (4 km) long.
🎯 Quick Quiz!
Which ancient empire destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE?
Who Built the Walls We See Today?
Though Jerusalem has had many rulers—from the Israelites to the Romans to the British—the massive walls you see enclosing the Old City today were built much later.
In 1538, the walls were rebuilt by the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. These walls create the boundaries for the four main quarters today: the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian Quarters.
- King David captured the city and made it the capital around 1000 BCE.
- King Solomon, David's son, built the First Temple around the mid-10th century BCE.
- The Romans conquered the city in 63 BCE.
- The British captured the city in 1917 during World War I.
Jerusalem is truly a city built in layers—what we see today is built right on top of thousands of years of history, battles, prayers, and incredible human stories! It’s a bustling, multicultural place that keeps making history even now.
Questions Kids Ask About World History
Keep Exploring the Past!
From ancient kings to incredible temples and sacred shrines, Jerusalem's story is one of the longest and most fascinating in history. Keep listening to History's Not Boring to uncover more amazing tales from around the world!
