The Western Wall (or Kotel, in Hebrew) was part of the most magnificent building Jerusalem had ever seen, which was the Second Temple, built by the great King Herod.
The Second Temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE and despite the destruction that took place, all four of the Temple Mount support walls remained standing. Throughout the generations since the Temple’s destruction, the Western Wall was the remnant closest to the site of the Temple’s ‘holies of holies - a place where only the Jewish High Priests were allowed, as it was there they believed God was present. The actual remains of the Temple can be found the Western Wall Tunnels, which are an extraordinary journey through time.
For centuries Jewish People from around the world have been going there to mourn the loss of this grand temple. You will often find hundreds of people of different nationalities and religions’ pouring out their heart with prayers as the wall is believed to have enormous spiritual significance.
It is tradition for the people that visit to write a note and place it in the cracks of the Western Wall, as it is believed the message will be taken to God. You will often find doves resting in the crevices of this impressive structure, which are a symbol of peace.
The Western Wall is a national symbol as the ancient bricks have seen Israel and the Jewish peoples birth, exile and redemption. It’s a very popular location for national ceremonies and even Bar Mitzvah to take place