The Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall or the Kotel, is a retaining wall of the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem
. It is the most sacred location in Judaism and a place of pilgrimage and prayer
. The wall is believed to have been constructed by King Herod during the Second Temple period around 20 BCE
. When the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Western Wall became the closest Jews could come to the place where the Temple once stood
. The Wailing Wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, within the Muslim Quarter, and can be accessed through a narrow alleyway near the Iron Gate
. The wall is divided into two sections, one for males and the other for females
. Traditionally, people recite prayers at the wall, either spoken or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall
. The Western Wall has a rich history and has been a source of inspiration and yearning for the Jewish people throughout many generations
. It has also been a location for formal ceremonies of the State of Israel
. In 1967, following the Six-Day War, Israelis dug below the ground of the wall, exposing two more levels and creating the Western Wall Plaza that visitors see today
. The Western Wall is free to visit and open 24 hours a day, year-round
