IDF Square, Jerusalem

For me, IDF Square in Jerusalem is the gateway to the Old City. I arrive there by light rail and get off at the City Hall station, and if I have time, I walk along Jaffa Street which ends right at the square. After crossing the road, I already feel like I’ve entered another world – I touch the walls of the Old City, see the Tower of David and the blue dome of the Dormition Church peeking in the background, and alongside it, I also notice a sign dedicated to Jerusalem lovers. This is where my journey begins, at a point that is always my first stop in the city, after the Central Bus Station/Navon Railway Station, of course.

During the day, the square is full of movement and people. The light rail enters and exits, groups of tourists gather with guides, alongside local residents crossing on their way to work or the market. The bright light emphasizes the Jerusalem stone and the sense of openness of the square that connects the new city to the Old City.

At night, the atmosphere changes completely. The yellow lighting gives the square a more dramatic appearance, the street calms down, and the light rail entering the station looks almost like a moving light in a great silence. People are fewer, shadows lengthen, and the walls seem closer and more mysterious. The “I ♥ JLM” sign is illuminated and colorful, adding a light touch of joy to the place.

Thus, between day and night, IDF Square is for me not just a point of passage – but also a personal beginning, the place where every visit to Jerusalem opens anew.