A view of the western wall (Ha-Kotel Ha-Maaravi), or wailing wall (as called by the Christians) and the Temple Mount. This lime stone retaining wall was part of the rampart surrounding the holy temple built by Solomon. Built by King Herod as an addition to the Temple it is is completely free standing. When Rome destroyed the Second Temple in 70 C.E., only this one outer wall remained standing. Because this is all that remains of the Solomon's Temple, this site considered the holiest in Judeasim. (06/10/1999)