Tomb of the Patriarchs is the world's most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The building was constructed roughly two thousand years ago by Herod. The 12-20 meter/40-60 foot high walls are similar to those of the Temple Mount. The Byzantines and Crusaders transformed it into a church and the Muslims converted it a mosque.
The structure is divided into three rooms: Ohel (tent) Avraham, Ohel Yitzhak, and Ohel Ya'akov. Presently Jews have access to Ohel Yitzhak, the largest room, only 10 days a year. The tombs are all underground. A 700-year-old stained-glass window adorns the tomb of Jacob and Leah, which are in an adjoining courtyard opposite the monuments to Abraham and Sarah.
Tomb of the Patriarchs is the world's most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The building was constructed roughly two thousand years ago by Herod. The 12-20 meter/40-60 foot high walls are similar to those of the Temple Mount. The Byzantines and Crusaders transformed it into a church and the Muslims converted it a mosque.