The Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall, is an ancient limestone wall built in the city of Jerusalem between the 19th century BC and the 1st century AD. The Wailing Wall is a portion of the larger retaining wall that was built originally for expanding the Second Jewish Temple by Herod the Great. Because it encases the Temple Mount, it is considered to be one of the holiest places that the Jews are permitted to pray. 19 metres in height, the Western Wall in its entirety is 488 metres long.
Amazing Fact: The wall is often referred to as the ‘Wailing Wall’, because of the Jewish practice of weeping at the site, over the destruction of the temples.
