Shrine of the Book — Attraction in Jerusalem

The Shrine of the Book is one of the highlights of the Israel Museum, situated within the outside grounds near the large-scale model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.

Here you find a beautifully designed structure that resembles the jar lids that held the Dead Sea scrolls which the building was created to hold and display for visitors. The white coloured building has the shape of a dome and contrasts sharply to the black granite wall erected just across the walkway. Collectively, these two structures symbolise the war between sons of light and those of darkness.

The Shrine of the Book is accessed from a downstairs entry where visitors enter a dark corridor. Displays on both sides present an effective introduction to the Qumran sect as well as the creation and discover of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the caves around Qumran.

Passing through the corridor, you enter the main interior of the circular Shrine, where you are able to view several copies and a few of the original scroll fragments, which are on limited display and changed out regularly in order to minimise their deterioration and ensure preservation for future generations.

In addition to the Dead Sea Scrolls, other ancient Jewish texts are on display including the Allepo Codex in the lower level of the main Shrine building. This is the oldest known Hebrew bible and considered by many to the single most important Jewish body of text in existence. It is worth reading the displays and listening to your audio guide here if you are not familiar with this ancient document prior to your visit.

The displays and text in the Shrine of the Book are detailed and quite comprehensive, which will be appreciated by those who enjoy history. You'll want to allow around 45-60 minutes to make your way through the shrine, examining what is available to be seen if this is the case. For those short on time, a 15-20 minute visit should be sufficient for a brief walk through of the Shrine of the Book.

In the end, this is a remarkable place to visit at the Israel Museum, something you will long remember in regards to your visit to Jerusalem and...

Frankly, after 65 years of historic and religious hype. My visit was SERIOUSLY disappointing.

The center piece is a long scroll, lit in place of pride. We've all seen pictures of it, LITERALLY. This is because what is on central display is a PHOTOCOPY.

Around the periphery of the circular room are fragments of the original "displayed" in such miserable lighting, that it is UNREADABLE.

I am sure low light is a preservative measure...but why bother "displaying"at. All, when you cannot read or even see a single word?

The foursome ahead of me was equally distressed.

Timed lighting. Filtered lighting. Other museums make it work.

Why no one is saying much here, I don't understand, because they openly discuss the...

An interesting space from an architectural perspective, containing the Dead Sea Scrolls. There's a surprising amount of apocrypha/ rules of the Qumran (that practiced a form of Judaism quite distinct from those at the Temple). For conservation reasons, only a few fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls are actually displayed. There are two options for the audio tour - pick the narrative one! The facts can be had just by reading the displays.

Unfortunately no photos allowed. Entry is included as part of the visit to the Israel museum. Also a repeat visit is half price within 3 months (only if you pay full price the...