In partnership with the East Jerusalem Development Company and Bridgify, the city of Jerusalem has launched a platform offering virtual visits to its ramparts, holy sites, temples and museums. A catalogue of virtual tours, many of which are free, is made available to internet users once they have registered with the service.

Accessible via the website www.explore.itraveljerusalem.com, the new platform will be especially well-received by travellers who are currently deprived of their usual regimen of excursions, hikes and historical tours.

The catalogue of what is available includes both virtual tours and visits to museums. There is also a culinary section, which, however, has not yet been provided with content.

In the run-up to Easter, the new service will also enable people to “attend” religious ceremonies. Internet users can already virtually light a candle in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (for a fee of US$19.90) or leave a message on the Western Wall.

There is also a webcam with a live feed showing what is going on at this particular monument. On Sunday, believers living under lockdown have the option of attending the Birkat Kohanim, the traditional Jewish priestly blessing.