Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives

The Kidron Valley runs along the east side of the Old City of Jerusalem, between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives.  The valley is approximately 20 miles long, running from just north of the Old City down between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, and through the Judean Desert towards the Dead Sea.

The New Testament records Jesus walking through the valley several times as He traveled between Jerusalem and Bethany.  King David fled through the Kidron Valley, and up to the Mount of Olives, when he was running from the rebellion of his son Absalom.

Looking through the Kidron Valley and onto the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives

A house on the valley floor, with the Jewish Cemetery in the background

A close-up of part of cemetery.  You can easily see one of the many caves that dot the valley and the Mount of Olives

In the distance, above the cemetery, is the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalena

A close-up of the Church of Mary Magdalena, clearly showing the gilded "onion domes".

An Arab village on the western slope of the Mount of Olives.  I think the village is called Wadi al-Joz

Another view of Wadi al-Joz

Another view of Wadi al-Joz

While looking through my telephoto lens at the village Wadi al-Joz I cam across this small minaret.  It almost looks like it was built in someone's backyard.  A private mosque perhaps? 

A close-up of the minret