Home to the Hebrew University, the Brigham Young Mormon University and a British cemetery dating back to WWI, Mount Scopus is an interesting place that offers excellent views of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University

The Hebrew University is the first university founded in Israel and is to date considered the most prominent of Israel’s universities, though some claim this prominence does come with a certain more conservative air (as is often the case). The university has earned a reputation for itself around the world and a fair number of its academics are Nobel laureates. The official inauguration ceremony of the university was held in 1925 and it was attended by the leading academic figures of the time (Albert Einstein himself was a member of the university’s Board of Trustees at the time). However, after the Independence war in 1948, the university was no longer physically accessible and its faculties had to be relocated. Only after the Six Day War, Mount Scopus University become reachable again and the faculties and departments returned to their original homes. The building itself is very bunker like (befitting its location) and if you are not well acquainted with the building, you can easily get lost in the maze like staircases and corridors. The long standing botanical garden, which is located on campus, is an especially charming and tranquil spot to relax in if you’ve ventured a visit on the campus.
Tel: 02-6585111
The Hebrew University Website

Brigham Young Jerusalem Center

The Jerusalem Centre of Brigham Young University offers the university’s students (main campus located in Utah) a special program that focuses on Holy Land themes and the study of Hebrew and Arabic. The architecture of the university, nicknamed the Mormon University in Hebrew, is very impressive, with high arches and spacious patios and gardens overlooking the Mount of Olives. To coordinate a one hour tour of the university, contact the university.
Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem
Tel: 02-626-5666
Mormon University Website

Jerusalem War Cemetery

The Jerusalem War Cemetery, also located on Mount Scopus, is a beautifully kept British cemetery where about 2,500 WWI war casualties have been buried. Additionally, the cemetery also commemorates the memory soldiers who died in the Middle East during WWI, but whose place of burial is unknown.