Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery facts for kids
The Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery is a very old and important cemetery in Jerusalem. It's known as the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world and also the biggest! This huge cemetery is located on the Mount of Olives, looking out towards the famous Old City of Jerusalem. More than 150,000 people are buried here.
Contents
Exploring the Cemetery
This large cemetery is divided into different areas. Each area often represents a specific group or community.
Different Communities
- There are sections for Ashkenazi communities. These are Jews whose families came from Central and Eastern Europe.
- Other parts are for Sephardim and Oriental communities. These are Jews whose families came from Spain, Portugal, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- You can also find sections for Hasidic communities. These are groups known for their strong religious traditions.
Military Section
There is a special area dedicated to military personnel. This section honors those who served and were buried here.
Ancient Burials in Kidron Valley
The southwestern part of the cemetery extends into the Kidron Valley necropolis. This area has very old burial sites. Some parts of the Arab village of Silwan were built over this ancient section of the cemetery.
Famous Tombs and Monuments
The Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery is home to many ancient and important tombs. Some of these date back thousands of years. They are often carved into the rock.
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The Tomb of Absalom is a famous ancient monument.
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The Tomb of Zechariah is another well-known rock-cut tomb.
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The Tomb of Benei Hezir is a large family tomb.
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The Cave of Jehoshaphat is near the Tomb of Absalom.
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The Tomb of Huldah is believed to be the burial place of a prophetess.
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The Cave of the Prophets is an ancient burial cave.
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The Tomb of Pharaoh's Daughter is a unique monument.
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The Kidron Valley necropolis shows many ancient burial sites.
See also
In Spanish: Cementerio judío del Monte de los Olivos para niños
