Western Wall Facts for Kids

The Western Wall, a very important place in Jerusalem.

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall or Kotel (which means "the Wall" in Hebrew), is a very old and special wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. It stands on the western side of a holy area called the Temple Mount. For Jewish people, this wall is believed to be a remaining part of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed a long, long time ago. Because of its history, it is considered the most holy site where Jews can pray.

Western Wall
People praying at the Western Wall.
Women praying in their section of the Wall.
Small prayer notes tucked into the Wall's cracks.
People praying at the Wall in 1985.
An exit from the Western Wall Tunnels.
A Jewish man praying at the Wall.
A Bar Mitzvah celebration at the Wall.
Pope Francis visiting the Western Wall.

A Special Place for Prayer
- How People Pray at the Wall
- Separate Prayer Areas
History of the Wall
- What Remains Today
- The Wall Through the Years
The Western Wall Plaza
- Other Parts of the Wall
Images for kids
See also

A Special Place for Prayer

The Western Wall is a very important place for Jewish people around the world. Many come here to pray, reflect, and connect with their history. It's a place where people feel close to God and their heritage.

How People Pray at the Wall

When people visit the Western Wall, they often:

Pray silently or out loud.
Read from holy books like the Torah.
Place small notes with prayers or wishes into the cracks between the ancient stones. This tradition is very old and meaningful.
Celebrate special events like Bar Mitzvahs (a coming-of-age ceremony for boys).

Separate Prayer Areas

The prayer area at the Western Wall is divided into two sections:

A larger section for men.
A smaller section for women.

This separation is a tradition in many Jewish places of worship.

History of the Wall

The Western Wall is part of the retaining wall that supported the Temple Mount plaza. This plaza was built by King Herod the Great around 20 BCE (Before Common Era). The Second Temple stood on this plaza until it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE (Common Era).

What Remains Today

The part of the wall that we see today is not the actual temple building. Instead, it is a strong supporting wall that helped create the large platform where the temple once stood. Over time, this wall became the most accessible and important part of the Temple Mount for Jewish prayer.

The Wall Through the Years

For centuries, the Western Wall was a narrow alleyway, surrounded by houses. People would gather there to pray, often in difficult conditions.

In 1917, after the British took control of Jerusalem, Jewish soldiers visited the Wall.
In 1928, there were disagreements about prayer arrangements at the Wall.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Old City of Jerusalem was controlled by Jordan. During this time, Jews could not visit the Western Wall.
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel gained control of the Old City. This allowed Jewish people to visit and pray at the Wall freely again.

The Western Wall Plaza

After 1967, the area in front of the Western Wall was cleared. This created a large open plaza. This plaza allows many thousands of people to gather and pray at the Wall at the same time. It has become a central place for national and religious ceremonies in Israel.

Other Parts of the Wall

The Western Wall is much longer than the part seen in the main plaza. Much of it is hidden underground.

The Western Wall Tunnels allow visitors to explore more of the ancient wall. These tunnels show parts of the wall that are much older and deeper.
Robinson's Arch is another part of the Western Wall. It was once part of a large staircase that led up to the Temple Mount. Today, you can see its remains and excavated streets below. This area is also used for prayer, especially by groups who prefer a different prayer style.

Images for kids

Herodian stones of the Western Wall, showing their ancient craftsmanship.
A wide view of the Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock (left) and al-Aqsa mosque (right) in the background.
Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, a painting from the 19th century by Gustav Bauernfeind.
The Western Wall around 1870, surrounded by houses before the plaza was created.
The Jews' Wailing Place in Jerusalem, as it looked in 1891.
Jewish Legion soldiers at the Western Wall after the British took Jerusalem in 1917.
A divider, called a Mechitza, similar to this one, caused disagreements in 1928.
A British police post at the entrance to the Western Wall in 1933.
Members of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry visiting the Western Wall in 1946.
An iconic photo of Israeli soldiers shortly after capturing the Wall during the Six-Day War.
A 1947 map showing the Moroccan Quarter (J9) around the Western Wall (62).
A holy ark inside the men's section of Wilson's Arch.
Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff leading a special interfaith service at the Wall.
The remains of Robinson's Arch above ancient street ruins.
Jewish people at the Western Wall in the 1870s.
People observing Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning, at the Western Wall in the 1970s.
Women praying at the Western Wall in the early 20th century.
The separate prayer areas for men (top) and women, seen from above.
The Azarat Yisrael Plaza, near Robinson's Arch, opened in 2013.
Close-up of prayer notes placed in the cracks of the Wall.
A map from 1865 showing the south-west corner of the Haram (Temple Mount).
A Jewish man praying at the Western Wall.
The Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock in the background.
U.S. president Donald Trump visiting the Western Wall in 2017.