Tomb of Zechariah- Jerusalem

 

It is a lovely evening bus ride 

from the Dan Hotel in Jerusalem

 to the Kidron Valley to see the Tomb of Zechariah.

Well lit and stately, it stands tall to hold

 the limelight in the Valley landscape.

The ancient stone monument actually 

dates to a later time- probably 1st Century AD.

The monument is a monolith- 

completely carved out of solid rock 

and does not contain a burial chamber.

The Ionic order capitals are decorated with an 

egg and dart decoration suggests a Hellenistic influence.

The front side is fine masonry and decoration 

and the other side is extremely rough and unfinished

 as if the work had to be stopped before completion.

According to Jewish tradition,

 it was first suggested to be the tomb of

 Zechariah Ben Jehoiada in Jewish writings in 1215 CE.

    

                                   Nearby is the Tomb or pillar of Absalom.

                                         (and not so well lit)

It is also a monolith.

  Jewish tradition attributes it to Absalom, 

who was the rebellious son of King David

 about 1000 BC. Modern dating 

says the structure was built about First century AD.

It may have served as an ancient burial cave system

 connected to the Tomb of Jehoshaphat.

The free-standing monument contains a burial chamber

 with 3 burial sites with a complicated entrance and staircase.

 It has been compared to the burial structures found in Petra.

A leading archeologist, Gabriel Barkay 

believes this is the tomb of Herod Agrippa, 

the last of the Herodian rulers of Judea and Herod's grandson.

At one time it was nearly covered with  small rocks,

 as the Jewish people showed their disdain for a disobedient son.

It was uncovered in 1924.

Both of these tombs are at the base of the Mount of Olives,

 where it has evolved to be the largest Jewish cemetery.

According to Biblical projects and ancient Jewish writings,

 the Mount of Olives is the place the "End of the Days" 

will begin and those buried there will be the first 

who are resurrected to everlasting life.

A short walk showcases the evening light 

and beautiful gold glint

 of the Dome of the Rock.

An end to the evening is a stop by the 

Kotel at the Western Wall- (or Wailing Wall)

 for a moment of evening prayer.

This limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem

 is a small segment of the greater retaining wall.

The wall was erected as part of the expansion

 of the Second Jewish Temple begun by Herod the Great. 

This resulted in the encasement of the natural, steep hill

 known to the Jews and also the 

Christians as Temple Mount.