Why is Jerusalem holy to 3 Religions?

Jerusalem is considered a holy city by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam because each of these three monotheistic religions has major foundational events, prophets, and sacred sites connected to the city, all stemming from their shared Abrahamic heritage.

Israel welcome tourists from all these 3 global religions and has ensured that all religious sites are very well maintained, accessible and open for all to worship.

Festival days are exuberantly celebrated throughout Jerusalem with specific events for Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Tabernacles, Passover (Pesach), New Year and more. 

Israel also hosts the holiest site in the world for the Baha'i faith in Haifa.

Judaism

Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism and the spiritual and ancestral heart of the Jewish people. 

• Ancient Capital & Temple Mount: The temple Mount (Har Moriah) is the holiest site for Jews. It recognized as the place of Isaac's (almost) sacrifice, the place Jacob dreamed. King David made Jerusalem the capital of the Kingdom of Israel in the 10th century BCE.

• First Temple Built by King Solomon: King David's son, King Solomon, built the First Temple over 1000 years before Christ, this became the central place of worship for over 450 years.

• Second Temple: The Second temple was built on the Temple Mount over 580 yeas BC and was worshiped for almost 600 years. Jews would pray daily at the Temple and those living far away would visit Jerusalem at least 3 times a year to celebrate the Pilgrim Festivals.

• Western Wall: Western (or Wailing) Wall is part of the last remnants of the walls of the Second Temple complex after its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE. Being the closest place the the Holy of Holies of the Temple makes it the holiest site for Jews to pray today.

• Messiah's Arrival: Jewish tradition holds that the Messiah will appear in Jerusalem, enter through the Gates of Mercy to herald in the Messianic Age. The Last Judgment will take place on the Mount of Olives.

• Direction of Prayer: Jews around the world pray 3 times a day, always facing Jerusalem as the true gateway to God. Most synagogues in the the world are still built to face Jerusalem to this day.

Christianity

Jerusalem is the most important holy city for Christians as the site of Jesus Christ's ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. 

• Life of Jesus: The city is where Jesus preached, had the Last Supper on Mount Zion, and spent his last night before crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane.

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre: This church is built on the sites traditionally identified as Golgotha (the place of crucifixion) and Jesus's tomb, where he is believed to have been buried and resurrected. It is generally considered the most important church in Christendom.

• Via Dolorosa: Christian pilgrims follow the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path Jesus walked while carrying his cross to his execution.

• Holy Sites: Jerusalem also includes the holy sites of the Mount of Olives, Mt Zion and the Christian, Jewish and Moslem quarters in the Old City.

Islam

Jerusalem is the third holiest city in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. 

• The Night Journey: The Quran describes the Prophet Muhammad's miraculous Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj) in 621 CE, where he was supernaturally transported from the Great Mosque in Mecca to 'the farthest mosque' (Al-Aqsa) in Jerusalem.

• Ascension to Heaven: From the Foundation Stone on the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif), Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven, on his white horse, where he received the command for the five daily prayers.

• First Qibla: Initially, Muslims faced Jerusalem during their prayers (Qibla) before the direction was changed to face the Kaaba in Mecca.

• Prophets' City: Muslims revere Jerusalem because of its strong association with many earlier prophets who are also significant figures in Islam, including Abraham, David, Solomon, and Jesus.