Tucked away on the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Jerusalem NY is a small town with a population of just over 4,400, a far cry from its Middle-Eastern counterpart. Its location, along the west branch of Keuka Lake, is imbued with natural tranquility, as the shimmering waters and surrounding hills create a bucolic backdrop.

The town’s pretentious name reflects the spiritual connection its early settlers had to the ancient and faraway city. Among them was Jemima Wilkinson, known as the “Public Universal Friend”, she was a religious leader who founded the Society of Universal Friends.

After a near-death experience, she declared herself a divine messenger and in the late 18^th century, led a community across town. The settlement, centered on her teachings of spiritual equality and universal salvation, became an important part of her movement before it eventually declined.

Jerusalem NY is also home to Bluff Point, one of the region’s most enigmatic archaeological sites. Discovered by Berlin and Samuel H. Wright, respected surveyors and scholars, the area features mysterious stone formations atop a hill overlooking Keuka Lake. Excavations nearby have uncovered artifacts and fortifications predating European contact. In turn, these ruins have fueled ongoing research of ancient cultures that once dominated this part of the continent.

Nestled within the verdant landscape of northern Poland’s Pomeranian Voivodeship, Jeruzalem is a rather unassuming hamlet that comprises a smattering of houses scattered amidst open fields and forests. Despite its meager size, its name, “Jeruzalem”, evokes a timeless affinity to its more illustrious namesake in the Holy Land.

The origin of its name likely stems from a medieval tradition of invoking sacred places, as settlements across Europe sought to imbue their locales with a sense of divine significance. Some speculate that the town may have been a site of pilgrimage or reverence, though concrete records of that claim remain scarce.

Along the Whanganui River, north of the eponymous city downstream, lies the village of Jerusalem, known in Māori as Hiruhārama. Originally called Patiarero, it was a major Ngāti Hau settlement in the 1840s. In the mid-19^th century, missionary Reverend Richard Taylor rechristened it after the holy city, reflecting its Christian influence following the establishment of a local Catholic mission there in 1854.

The hamlet’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the life of Suzanne Aubert, or Mother Mary Joseph, who founded the Sisters of Compassion here in 1892. Her pioneering charitable work included establishing the Jerusalem Foundling Home, which provided refuge for abandoned children amidst the challenges of colonial New Zealand. The convent and St. Joseph’s Church, built in 1893, stand as a vestige of her mission. Inside the church, Māori craftsmanship adorns the altar and walls, an unusual blend of Catholicism with indigenous art.

Today, the convent doubles as a peaceful retreat, where visitors can enjoy a self-catered accommodation while having a chance to explore the site’s history through the dozens of preserved documents and artifacts.

Perched on the southern Rhode Island coast, Jerusalem is a quaint fishing village situated within the boundaries of Narragansett, though curiously connected by land solely to neighboring South Kingstown. This geographic quirk contributes to its identity, which is centered around maritime traditions.

The village’s current name can trace its origins back to 1902, when a passerby asked an old fisherman what lay across the channel from the bustling fishing community of Galilee. As he replied “Must be Jerusalem”, the whimsical exchange gave rise to the twin names that persist to this day.

Beyond its biblical inspiration, Jerusalem is a haven of coastal charm. At its eastern edge lies East Matunuck State Beach, a 144-acre expanse of sandy shoreline that beckons visitors with its calm waters, scenic picnicking spots, and the chance for an ocean dip.

The village is also renowned for its cozy seafood eateries, including Jim’s Dock and Skip’s Dock, where freshly caught fare is a staple. Beyond the shoreline, the area is dotted with inlets and small lakes, where hikers can have a respite from the hustle and bustle of our modern world.

Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Cundinamarca, Jerusalem is a small Colombian municipality that rests at the foothills of the Cordillera Central Mountain Range, 354 meters above sea level. Established in 1865, it grew from the Casasviejas estate, a historical stopover for conquistadors traveling the route between Tocaima and Guataquí.

Local lore suggests that the town’s name was inspired by its mountainous and rugged terrain, thought to resemble the sacred city of Jerusalem. In reality, however, it is more likely that the name is rooted in the strong Christian beliefs of its founders.

Despite its modest population of just over 2,500, Jerusalem is notable nationwide for its pioneering eco-sustainable initiatives. Abundant sunlight and a dry, arid climate have allowed this community to champion alternative energy sources. Public buildings here gleam under solar power, and efforts to conserve natural resources have earned the municipality recognition as Colombia’s first eco-sustainable town.

The town’s eastern border is defined by the Río Seco, a tributary of the Magdalena River. Vital for local agriculture, this waterway contrasts starkly with its barren surroundings and stands as a lifeline for the townspeople.

 

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Amid the lush hills of northeastern Slovenia, the small village of Jeruzalem is at the forefront of the region’s ample wine industry. Its altitude of 341 meters offers sweeping views of terraced vineyards that stretch toward neighboring Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. The area has been cultivated since Roman times, but its name and identity are closely tied to the Crusades of the 12^th century.

Legend has it that weary crusaders passing through this idyllic landscape were so awed by its beauty and the hospitality of local villagers, that as a tribute, they opted to rename it after the holy city of Jerusalem. Some stories even suggest that a painting of the Virgin Mary brought from the Holy Land, was left behind as a token of gratitude.

At the heart of Jeruzalem stands the Church of the Sorrowful Mother of God, originally a 17^th-century chapel built in 1652 and later transformed into a sumptuous Baroque church. The main altar is home to the aforementioned, famed painting of the Virgin Mary. Nearby, the remnants of a historic manor house, now converted into a guesthouse with a centuries-old wine cellar and botanical garden, provide a glimpse into the area’s renowned winemaking heritage.

Roughly 4 kilometers southeast of Příbram’s town square, the small Czech settlement of Jerusalem traces its origins to medieval times. Surrounded by a hilly terrain, this rural enclave is centered around a small lake and boasts a chapel right at its very center. The hamlet aptly owes its name to its affinity with the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Back in the 12^th century, Czech Prince Vladislav II encountered the Order during a Crusade. Moved by their charitable mission, he granted them parcels of land, on which a series of settlements named after sacred locations were erected. Among these, Jerusalem was intended to house a church and hospital for pilgrims, something which mirrored the order’s original work in the Holy Land. While it briefly served this purpose, but waned in prominence after the 14^th century.

By the early 20^th century, it had become a low-key place that seldom greets outsiders. However, while the grand structures of the past have all disappeared, its storied heritage is still alive. In fact, the village chapel, dedicated to St. Wenceslas, was erected in 1948 and stands as a testament to the community’s steadfast faith in a country where the vast majority of people are atheists.

The unincorporated community of Jerusalem in Harford County, Maryland is a mere cluster of villages and townlets interspersed between forests. Its origins date back to a 318-acre plot of land granted in 1687, which later expanded under ironmaster Stephen Onion in the 18^th century.

At one point, the life of the townsfolk revolved almost entirely around Jerusalem Mill, a gristmill completed in 1772 that now serves as the heart of the Jerusalem Mill Village – a meticulously preserved living history museum.

Jerusalem probably derives its name from its early Quaker residents, whose values of peace and strong work ethic helped grew the community at its early stages. By the 19th century, this ethos had borne fruit as locals boasted a robust economy, with multiple industries such as milling, craftsmanship, and rifle-making for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

Conspicuous among Jerusalem’s points of interest is also the Jericho Covered Bridge. Built in 1865, this wooden Burr arch truss bridge spans the Little Gunpowder Falls, connecting Harford and Baltimore Counties. Over the years, its rustic appearance and purported sightings of spectral Civil War-era soldiers earned it a somewhat mysterious reputation.

Meanwhile, the Mill Village regularly hosts major events, including concerts, reenactments, and even jousting tournaments that breathe life into its storied past.