Western Wall

Old City, Jerusalem, Israel

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The Western Wall, also known as the Kotel or Wailing Wall, is a large stone retaining wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel, that forms part of the western side of the Temple Mount and is the holiest site widely accessible to Jews.

It is the last remaining portion of the ancient wall that surrounded the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, and has been a place of Jewish prayer and pilgrimage for centuries, with many visitors placing written prayers into its cracks.

The site today includes a large open plaza in front of the visible wall, divided into separate sections for men and women, and is open to all visitors, drawing both religious worshippers and tourists who come to touch the ancient stones and experience its powerful historical and spiritual atmosphere.