Sights in Middle East
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Ablutions Fountain
In the centre of the Umayyad Mosque courtyard is an odd square-shaped Ablutions Fountain topped by a wooden-canopied pulpit, while flanking it are two old columns that used to hold lamps.
reviewed
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Qazvin Museum
This spacious modern museum predominantly features 19th- century decorative arts but the bottom floor has some 3000-year-old bronzes and ceramics from the Alamut Valley.
reviewed
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B
Masmak Fortress
Masmak Fortress is Riyadh's most significant historical monument. It was built around 1865 on the site of an earlier fortification and has been extensively restored to its pre-Saud days.
reviewed
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Mt Herzl
Named after the mild-mannered newspaper reporter turned ultra-Zionist, the cedar- and pine-clad Mt Herzl is an important place of remembrance for founding fathers of the state of Israel.
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Herzl Museum
The history of the Zionist dream is detailed in the newly renovated Herzl Museum, a multimedia journey into the life of Theodor Herzl. The tour is by appointment only.
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Suzanne Dellal Centre
A former school and cultural centre, which now serves as a venue for festivals, exhibits and cultural events, as well as a relaxing place to look at murals and spend a sunny afternoon.
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E
Nature Scent
A street over from Made in Mitzpe, Nature Scent is a family-run workshop creating over 50 types of handmade soaps from natural ingredients, as well as delicious-smelling bath products.
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F
Beit HaGefen Arab-Jewish Centre
The Beit HaGefen Arab-Jewish Centre sponsors joint Arab-Jewish social activities. It could be worth a visit - check to see if there are any social events or lectures during your stay.
reviewed
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Animal Encounter
If you or your kids are animal-lovers, don't miss Animal Encounter 17km from Beirut, a well-known and respected refuge for unwanted, impounded or abandoned domestic and wild animals.
reviewed
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Mausoleum
In its own little traffic roundabout, Sheikh Mohammed Hakim Mo’men’s modest, Safavid-era mausoleum isn’t very green but makes a useful landmark.
reviewed
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Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is in one of the more impressive buildings and houses some charming Persian oil paintings dating back to the 18th century and some beautiful inlaid furniture.
reviewed
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Horsh Beirut
The 40,000-sq-metre pine forest on the edge of Beirut at Horsh Beiru , newly opened to the public, is a cool, deliciously green respite from the city with a playground for children.
reviewed
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H
Museum on the Seam
Conflict, prejudice, racism (and occasional coexistence) are on display at the Museum on the Seam, a socio-political/contemporary-art museum that pulls no punches.
reviewed
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Old Bethlehem Museum
Old Bethlehem Museum will transport you through time to a typical Palestinian home of the 19th century. See native costumes; purchase embroidery produced by the Arab Women's Union.
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Mohammed al-Amin Mosque
Downtown is the site of the impressive Mohammed al-Amin Mosque, which looks like a younger sibling of Istanbul's Blue Mosque, in which former prime minister Rafiq Hariri is buried.
reviewed
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inscribed Stone
In a stone-edged circle beside thundering Shari’ati St is an inscribed stone from around AD 1150, apparently setting out details of local grazing rights.
reviewed
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Ben Yehuda St
A downmarket boulevard of broken dreams. Once a popular shopping street, business has moved elsewhere, with the exception of airline offices, banks and a few other essentials.
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Cuadro
In an enormous space taking up the entire ground floor of Gate Village’s Bldg 10, this highly regarded gallery presents top-flight artists from both the West and Middle East.
reviewed
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M
Last Ditch Battle of the Jewish Quarter Museum
The Last Ditch Battle of the Jewish Quarter Museum documents the 1948 campaign for control over the city. It's close to the large menorah near the southern end of the Cardo.
reviewed
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N
Bastakiya Quarter
With its labyrinthine lanes lined with traditional wind-tower architecture, the old Bastakiya quarter on the waterfront east of Bur Dubai Souq is a magical place to explore.
reviewed
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Knesset
Israel’s 120 lawmakers convene at the Knesset, a squat building whose bland exterior hardly personifies the rousing atmosphere inside its hallowed halls.
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Takieh Biglar Begi
The lesser known Takieh Biglar Begi now houses a fairly cursory calligraphy museum, but is worth visiting for its dazzling mirror-tiled central dome-room.
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Museum of the Political History of Hm Late King Abdullah bin al-Hussein
This museum is worth checking out for its coverage of Jordan’s political life in the early 20th century. It’s next to the Iraqi Embassy, west of 1st Circle.
reviewed
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Q
Bialik House
Former home of Chaim Nachman Bialik, Israel's national poet. It contains memorabilia connected with his life and work, but it was closed for renovations when we checked.
reviewed
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Ethnographical Museum
Upstairs on the 1st floor is the Ethnographical Museum, which has a musty and poorly displayed collection of traditional dress from across the country.
reviewed