Jerusalem: Yad Vashem and Market

Jerusalem, Day 3

Today in the morning we took the tram to Yad Vashem, also known as the Holocaust Museum. We had obtained free tickets for the museum in advance and were supposed to be there at 11 o'clock.

The tram, also known as the streetcar line of Jerusalem, is close to our hotel. Tickets can be obtained from the machine and are quite easy to get. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card.

We treated ourselves to a day ticket, which costs 17.5 shekels with the rechargeable card, which is about 4.40 EUR. For that, we can take as many rides as we want with the tram and all the buses throughout the day.

So we took the tram, which feels like it departs every 5 minutes towards Mount Herzl. This terminal is also our destination. From there, it's only a few meters to Yad Vashem.

Upon our arrival, we exchanged our online tickets for a postcard-sized piece of paper, which granted us entry to the museum. The ticket exchange takes place in the first building. There, you can also buy an overview map for 12 shekels (3 EUR) or rent an audio guide for 30 shekels (7.50 EUR). In the same entrance building, there are restrooms and a café where we will conclude our visit later with a cool drink. But first, we enter the museum on time. It is built in a triangular shape. Conclusion: Super well done! There are countless exhibits here on the topic of the Holocaust. During World War II, the Nazis killed almost six million European Jews. We refer to this genocide as the Holocaust.

I have rarely seen such a touching museum. You walk in a zigzag through a prismatic, triangular building that is divided into many smaller rooms. There are TVs everywhere, on which eyewitnesses talk about their lives. Many signs in Hebrew and English explain the exhibited items. Everything is very vivid, factual, and at the same time moving.

At the other end of the prism, you leave the museum and have a unique view of the new Jerusalem.

But Yad Vashem is not finished yet. It is followed by a huge area with additional memorial halls and lots of greenery. You can constantly find sculptures and art that fit into the history and reflect the history.

Unfortunately, taking photos is not allowed in the museum, so I have to rely on public images.

Taking photos is allowed again in the outdoor area. We take the opportunity to play the 5 lab caches at Yad Vashem and visit the Rememberance Hall, the Children's Hall, and other places in the sun and in the green. The labs are well placed, so it's a nice tour.

We conclude our visit to the Holocaust Museum with a cold drink and a short visit to the souvenir shop. Overall, our conclusion is that it is very well done. The topic is familiar to us, many people in our group have already visited concentration camps in person, so it was less interesting to walk through a reconstructed gate with the inscription "Arbeit macht Frei". The audience here is more than international and maybe some people are dealing with this sad chapter of history for the first time.

For me, I then took the tram part of the way back to the market stop, which is named among the top 10 attractions of Jerusalem. The Mahane Yehuda Market is located in the center of Jerusalem and reflects the original Jewish everyday life (quote from the IsraelMagazine). Actually, I imagined it to be bigger. However, it spreads across several streets and narrow alleys, so you may not be able to perceive its size correctly. The Mahane Yehuda is considered THE food market of the city of Jerusalem. You can find everything from fruits and vegetables to baked goods, fish, and meat here. And sweets!!!! The market covers more than 1500 meters. You can find locals and tourists alike here. The vendors are happy to offer something to taste. Noise, smells, and lots of vibrant colors - you can marvel at something new on every corner.

We were particularly drawn to the dried fruit in small cubes, which is used to make tea. But it is also delicious when eaten raw.

And since admiring so much fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and sweet and savory pastries makes you hungry, we sit in the "food street". Here, you can get something to eat from the kitchen or from one of the many small stands. There are fish and chips as well as falafel and shawarma.

After so many impressions for the soul, for the nose and eyes, and the enjoyment of a delicious meal, the day comes to an end for me.