The Western Wall Live Webcam, Jerusalem

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall (Hebrew: Kotel HaMa’aravi), is the last remaining section of the ancient retaining wall that surrounded the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. It is located at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City.

For centuries, the Wall has been the central site of Jewish prayer and pilgrimage. The name “Wailing Wall” is derived from the Arabic term el-Mabka, meaning “the place of weeping,” as Jews would come here to mourn the destruction of the Temple and pray for its restoration. For millions of believers worldwide, the Wall symbolizes a deep spiritual connection to the history of Israel, embodying faith, hope, and the unity of the Jewish people.

The entire Western Wall stretches approximately 488 meters (about 1,600 feet) in length, but only a 57-meter (187-foot) section is accessible to the public. It attracts millions of visitors annually. Faithful visitors place over a million written prayers into the cracks between the stones each year. These notes are collected twice a year and buried respectfully on the Mount of Olives.

Today, the Western Wall remains the primary religious site in Judaism. Thousands of people—locals, pilgrims, and tourists—visit it daily. In accordance with Orthodox tradition, men and women pray in separate designated sections. On Jewish holidays, the Wall is the site of massive public prayers, ceremonies, and celebrations.