Prior to heading to Palestine, Israel launched its largest-scale attack on Palestine in 20 years, targeting Jenin. The following day, a terrorist attack occurred in Tel Aviv, which left me feeling apprehensive about entering Palestine. However, the thought of "perhaps only coming here once in a lifetime" prevailed, and I decided to go.
Yafo/Jaffa is one of the oldest port cities in the world, even older than Jerusalem. The Joppa frequently mentioned in the Bible refers to Yafo. In the past, European pilgrims heading to Jerusalem would land in Yafo.
The Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus walked while carrying the cross, ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is widely believed to be the Golgotha where Jesus was crucified before his resurrection, a theory supported by archaeological evidence.
There are 11 bone chapels in Europe, one of which is located in Évora, Portugal. The inscription at the entrance, "Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos," or "Our bones here await yours," is just a terrifying beginning.
The first mosque I ever visited in my life was actually a cathedral!
Before Tadao Ando, who would have thought of using the interplay of space and depth to perfectly blend the solid, rigid cross with the surrounding natural?
Passing by St. Charles Church, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that tonight's performance is Mozart's Requiem. Being in such a beautiful church and being immersed in a piece I love is the greatest fortune of visiting the city of music.
The Kapuzinerkirche is located in the bustling area of Vienna, just one street away from the Hofburg. The exterior of this church is very unassuming, making it difficult for me to imagine the stunning scenes inside.