A Journey Through Time In Jerusalem: How Centuries Have Changed The City

As part of my job as a photographer, I get to travel around the world and document many beautiful landscapes and famous tourist attractions. Quite often, I get asked what my favorite place to visit is. My answer can be somewhat of a surprise, as it actually goes back to my home country of Israel, and specifically its oldest city, Jerusalem.

In Jerusalem, almost everywhere you go, there's something so fascinating to find. Jerusalem is one of the holiest and most important cities on earth, housing many sacred sites to all major religions.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary to the reunification of this holy city, which in June 1967 was liberated from Jordanian occupation.

Recently I came across a rare collection of vintage photos which had been unveiled by the U.S. Library of Congress. The collection uncovers stunning scenes of Jerusalem during the 19th and early 20th centuries. When I saw these amazing old photos, I set out to do a 'then and now' comparison series with my own photos from the city I've been documenting so extensively.

Some photos were taken from the very same angle, others from a similar point of view, and the result is a remarkable showcase of changes and similarities alike.

Join me on a journey through time in Jerusalem, and witness the before and after of this eternal city.

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View Of The Old City. Some Things Never Change… Rays Of Light Shining Upon Jerusalem’s Old City

Above: in 1942. Below: today.

A Journey Through Time In Jerusalem: How Centuries Have Changed The City

View Of The Old City. Some Things Never Change… Rays Of Light Shining Upon Jerusalem’s Old City

Damascus Gate: One Of Jerusalem’s Most Beautiful Gates, Built In 1537 By The Ottoman Empire

Jaffa Gate: One Of The Main Entrance Gates To The Old City

The Garden Tomb: Discovered Only In 1867, The Garden Tomb Is Considered By Some Groups To Be A Possible Site Of The Burial And Resurrection Of Jesus

The Calvary/golgotha: The 12th Station Of The Cross, Inside The Church Of The Holy Sepulchre

A Scene From Jaffa Road: Jerusalem's Main Street, Used To Be The Leading Route Between The Old City Of The Jerusalem To The Port City Of Jaffa. Today It's Lined Up With Shops And Restaurants

David Citadel

Entrance To The Tower Of David Museum: The Tower Of David Museum Was Opened In 1989 And Contains Archeological Ruins Dating Back Some 2,700 Years

Zion Gate: The Main Entrance Gate To The Jewish Quarter In The Old City

Mount Of Olives: View From The Kidron Valley

The Lions’ Gate: One Of The Main Entrance Gates To The Old City

The Tower Of David

Damascus Gate

Tomb Of Absalom: Ancient Monumental Tomb Carved In The Rock, Traditionally Associated With Absalom, The Son Of King David Of Israel

The Western Wall

The British War Cemetery: Cemetery Of Fallen Soldiers Who Died In The Region During World War I

Rooftops Of The Christian Quarter: Dominated By The Two Domes Of The Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, One Of The Holiest Sites In Christianity, Believed To Be Where Jesus Was Crucified, Buried And Resurrected

The Jewish Cemetery On The Mount Of Olives: Burial On The Mount Of Olives Began In The Period Of The First Jewish Temple, Some 3,000 Years Ago

Overlooking The Temple Mount And Western Wall: The Temple Mount Is The Very Heart Of Jerusalem And Is Probably The Most Important Religious Site In The World, Directly Linked To The Core Of The Bible

David Citadel: The Citadel Dates Back To The Mamluk Era And Was Built On The Site Of An Earlier Fortification By King Herod

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Noam Chen

Noam Chen