A visit to the top of Mount Scopus

Today we went to the top of Mount Scopus and visited Hebrew University.

Jerusalem from the top of Mount Scopus

At 2710 feet above sea level, Mount Scopus is the highest mountain near Jerusalem and it therefore offers a great view of the city.

The view of Mount Scopus from the Mount of Olives

Mount Scopus is the highest peak along the ridge that is also known as the Mount of Olives.

Looking at Jerusalem

The name of the peak means “watcher.” Since antiquity people have climbed the mountain to scope out what is occurring in Jerusalem.

Looking at Jerusalem from Hebrew University

In 1918, Zionist leaders laid a cornerstone as a promise to build a place of higher learning on top of Mount Scopus. The school opened in 1925.

Looking down from Hebrew University

After Israel was created in 1948, the mountain became part of a United Nations zone of protection within Jordanian territory. At times Mount Scopus, with it’s school, was totally cut off from the outside. Men and women dedicated to the institution of higher learning on it’s peak protected the school by offering their continual presence.

A Plaza at Hebrew University

We took the bus up Mount Scopus for our visit to the University.

Looking up to Mount Scopus from the wall around Jerusalem

When we arrived on campus, we stepped out to one of the overlook plazas on the campus. The campus is large and an easy place to get lost. Various buildings are attached and dedicated to various disciplines. Other buildings are across open plazas, or on the eastern descent of the mountain.

Map of Hebrew University

After taking pictures we walked to the east side of the mountain and visited The National Botanic Garden of Israel.

The Garden at Hebrew University

This garden was started by one of the professors of Biology with the goal of planting and maintaining every plant native to the land of the Bible.

How the Garden Started

The gardens are diverse, containing everything from water plants

Water Plants at Hebrew University

(look closely, can you count the frogs??)

Frogs on the Lily Pad

To plants of the Negev.

Plants of the Negev

The garden also contains tombs dating back to the times of the New Testament and before.

First Century Tombs around Jerusalem

A Jewish man named Nicanor of Alexandria, who donated the beautiful (Acts 3) bronze Eastern Gate of Herod’s Temple is buried in this graveyard.

First Century Tombs and Osuary

The gardens extend throughout the University,

Plants on Mount Scopus

With Tabachnik Garden, a National Park, located below the University on the southern slopes of Mount Scopus.

School of International Studies

We walked the campus, and saw the International School, in the Frank Sinatra building.