Jerusalem hosts all kinds of museums, among them some beautiful places to see fine art and some of Jerusalem’s art museums are located in the most exciting sites and fine architecture of old, full of character locations and buildings. See also Jerusalem’s Museums.
The richest museum in Jerusalem (and in Israel in general) is the Israel Museum located just past the city entrance (on the hill next to the Knesset – Parliament). Any museum tour in Jerusalem should start with visiting the Israel Museum. Ranked among the top museums in the world, the Israel Museum exhibits almost half a million objects and is also home to the most extensive collection of archaeological artefacts pertaining to the Holy Land. The museum has three main sections (and several others) Art, Archeology and Judaica. The museum buildings are art on their own right, even if you visited it in the past, it deserves another visit especially because it was renovated and reopened just lately.
A very interesting museum is the Islamic Art Museum with a superb collection of Islamic art. Do not miss the rare watch collection in the basement. The collection is now shown in full after the full recovery of watches stolen back in the 80’s. The museum is also open on Saturdays without admission fee. See the Islamic Art Museum Website
The Bezalel Academy, located in Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus, was the first Jewish art academy in Jerusalem and in Israel. The decision to build it was taken in the Zionist Congress in 1905 and it was permanently located in 1908 in a pair of Arab buildings that were designed to host an orphanage. It still functions as the foremost Israeli art academy. The modern academy has moved to a new building in the back of the yard and one of the old buildings hosts a very vibrant art gallery (as well as a nice restaurant).
The Bloomfield Science Museum provides an entirely different break from re-visiting the city’s history and antiquity. It is an interactive museum that makes learning science fun for the children and the whole family. It is located near the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in a neighborhood named Givat Ram. Among the popular activities there is a fun and colorful hands-on exhibits that are great for children and young adults. The permanent displays, which include a mind-blogging optical illusion section, are also popular. Everything in Bloomfield Science Museum is designed to be touched and held, making learning science as enjoyable as possible.
Museum on the Seam defines itself as a “Socio-political-contemporary-art-museum”. It is located just on the old border line between West and East Jerusalem (the border between Israel and Jordan in the years 1948-1967). Its location, the beautiful house, and the fine art makes it one of the most intriguing art galleries in Israel. See the Museum on the Seam Website.
Anna Ticho was one of the most famous Israeli painters, known for her delicate sketching works. She was married to Dr. Ticho, the famous eye doctor in Jerusalem. They lived in one of the first houses built outside the old city walls in 1864. The house, now named Ticho House, is open a few hours a day and presents the family heritage as well as works of Ana Ticho, as well as hosting a well liked café.
There is no better place to get a understanding of Jerusalem’s rich and illustrious past than the museum at the Tower of David, an ancient citadel located near Jaffa Gate to the Old City of Jerusalem. Officially called the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem or simply the Tower of David Museum, it is specifically devoted to presenting the Jerusalem’s 4,000-year-old history, the people who became part of it and its significance to Jerusalemites. The museum also features a courtyard which contains archaeological remains dating back 2,700 years. In a bid to bring Jerusalem’s ancient past to life, the museum also hosts the temporary sound-and-light exhibitions titled “The Night Experiences” which dazzle guests as they take them through time and history.