To the west of the Old City, beginning in the second half of the 19th century, the modern centre of Jerusalem and extensive residential neighbourhoods began to develop.
Here, you won’t find the narrow alleys, bustling bazaars, and dense crowds of the Old City. There are also far fewer religious shrines. Instead, this part of Jerusalem reflects the modern history of an ancient and resilient people who returned to their homeland after nearly two thousand years of diaspora.
Key sites in the New City include:
Israel Museum
The Israel Museum is a major museum complex located on a hill in the Givat Ram neighbourhood of Jerusalem, near the Knesset, the Supreme Court of Israel, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Founded in 1965 as Israel’s national museum, it covers an area of 81,000 square metres. Today, it is one of the world’s leading museums of art and archaeology, as well as one of the most important cultural institutions in Israel.
Garden Tomb and Gordon’s Calvary
Gordon’s Calvary is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, north of the Damascus Gate.
This site is considered an “alternative” Golgotha, recognised by some Protestant traditions. It was identified in 1867 by the British general Charles Gordon.
Some Protestant denominations accepted Gordon’s theory, partly because of the proximity of the St. Stephen’s Church, which was built on the ruins of an earlier basilica commemorating the martyrdom of Saint Stephen.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Cathedral is located on Moscow Square in Jerusalem.
The cathedral was founded on 30 August 1860 and consecrated in 1872. It was designed by the Russian architect M. I. Eppinger in the Neo-Byzantine style.
As the main Russian Orthodox cathedral in the Holy Land, it is an impressive white-stone structure crowned with eight gilded domes topped with Orthodox crosses.
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo covers an area of approximately 25 hectares in a scenic valley in the south-western part of Jerusalem.
The zoo’s mission is to create a habitat for a wide variety of animal species, maintaining high standards of care while helping to preserve endangered wildlife.
Particular attention is given to animals native to the Land of Israel and those mentioned in the Old Testament.
Mahane Yehuda Market
Mahane Yehuda Market, often simply called “the Shuk” (“market”), is a vibrant торговая зона in Jerusalem. Originally open-air, it is now partly covered.
Popular with both locals and tourists, the market features over 250 vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, fish, meat, and cheeses; as well as nuts, spices, wines, clothing, footwear, and household items, including Judaica.
Inside and around the market, you’ll also find stalls offering local favourites such as falafel, shawarma, kebab, kibbeh, and traditional desserts like knafeh, baklava, and halva, alongside juice bars, cafés, and restaurants.
In recent years, the Shuk has also become one of Jerusalem’s main nightlife hubs, with bars, restaurants, and live music venues.
First Station Jerusalem (Old Railway Station)
In April 2013, the Old Railway Station of Jerusalem—originally built more than 120 years ago and closed to train traffic from Tel Aviv at the end of the 20th century—was revived as a modern cultural and entertainment complex.
The historic two-storey station building, constructed in the late 19th century, combines several architectural styles, including elements reminiscent of medieval Templar design. The station was once almost identical to the one in Jaffa, as the two were connected by the first railway line in the region.
Today, the complex known as First Station (Mitham HaTachana) is open seven days a week and hosts fairs, festivals, exhibitions, performances, and other cultural events. It is also a starting point for city tours and a popular leisure destination for both residents and visitors.