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The word Hurvah means ruin. This synagogue was called the The Hurva of Rabbi Yehuda HaHasid, or "ruin" of Rabbi Yehuda HaHasid even when it stood in all its splendor. This was because it was built on the ruins of the synagogue of Rabbi Yehuda HaHasid which was destroyed by the Turkish Moslems in 1721 for the Jew's failure to pay their debts. The construction of the Hurva was begun in 1856. The architect appointed by the Sultan to plan and supervise the renovations of buildings on the Temple Mount agreed to oversee the construction of the Synagogue. The task was completed only at the end of 1864 due to financial setbacks. Listed among the donors are such notables as the king of Prussia, and the Rothschild family. On the 24th of Elul, 1864 the synagogue was dedicated and named Beth Jacob for Baron Jacob de Rothschild. The synagogue was destroyed by the Jordanians after taking the Jewish Quarter in The War of Independence. It is once again a ruin.

The City of David
Area G
Warren's Shaft
Gihon Spring
Hezekiah's Tunnel

THE CITY BEYOND THE WALLS

Mishkenot Shaananim
Machaneh Yisrael
Nahalat Shiva
Meah Shearim
Yemin Moshe

JERUSALEM HIGHLIGHTS

Museums
Yad Vashem
Israel Museum
Bible Lands Museum
Tower of David

Government
The Knesset
The Supreme Court
City Hall

Historical Sites
The Mount of Olives
The City of David