Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, which is five miles to the north of Bethlehem, was the Temple built by King Herod the Great.  The Temple itself was built of white marble and the eastern end was covered with plates of gold which reflected the rays of the rising sun for miles.  Round it was a large courtyard, nearly 200 yards wide and rather more in length.  Along each of the four sides ran a covered walk the roof of which was supported by great marble pillars.  The pillars at one end numbered 162 and were arranged in four rows.  Each was 27 feet high and so thick that three men holding hands could scarcely reach round it. (10) The Temple was completely destroyed in AD 70, when the city was besieged and captured by the Romans.

Outside the city walls on the east is a valley along which runs a stream called Kedron.  On the other side of this stream is the hill called Olivet or the Mount of Olives.  It was a short way up this, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was arrested, and it was from the top of the hill that he later ascended into Heaven.