Western Wall, Ancient limestone wall in Old City of Jerusalem, Israel
The Western Wall is a section of the ancient retaining wall that surrounds the Temple Mount, and the exposed surface displays large limestone blocks. Above the lower rows, the structure continues with narrower layers added in later centuries.
Herod commissioned this wall in the 1st century BCE to expand and stabilize the Temple Mount platform. When Roman forces destroyed the temple, the retaining wall remained standing and later became a gathering place.
Worshippers tuck folded prayer notes between the stone blocks, and these papers are later buried on the Mount of Olives. The plaza in front divides into two areas so men and women can pray separately.
Access is possible every day, including holidays, but visitors should dress modestly and keep shoulders covered. Men need to wear a head covering, which is available at the entrance.
Below the plaza run tunnels where visitors can see deeper layers of stonework, including blocks weighing several hundred tons. These hidden sections show how far the original construction extended underground.
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