The newspaper USA Today and the TV show Good Morning America teamed up to pick the seven New Wonders of the World. #6 on the list is the "Old City" of Jerusalem. The following is the text of the article:

By Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY

Mankind's capacity for wonder is profoundly expressed in Jerusalem's Old City, which has served as a spiritual nexus for the world's three major monotheistic faiths — Judaism, Christianity and Islam — for millennia.

Our six experts chose the ancient city as one of the seven New Wonders of the World for its central place in religious history and struggles for tolerance.

The idea of religious co-existence "captivates the world right now," said panelist and best-selling author Bruce Feiler (Walking the Bible).

The very notion — that definitive events in the history of three major faiths could occur within the same walled city of about 1 square kilometer — seems almost too incredible to comprehend. Yet for centuries, pilgrims from all over the world have traveled to Jerusalem to reaffirm their faith. Chris' note: As we traveled throughout the land, I never forgot that I was walking on ground that had been traversed by Jesus and the earliest disciples and apostles. It was a powerful feeling indeed. I promised Michelle that I would bring her and our children here one day, so that they too may experience the spiritual power of this holiest of holy cities.

That has made the Old City not only a holy place but a battleground as well. Empire after empire, including the Canaanites, Hebrews, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders and Ottoman Turks, has fought to control the area. Even today, there is no general agreement as to the city's political status. Chris' note: It seems ironic that the word "Jerusalem" means "city of peace" in Hebrew. While there is little political peace, spiritual peace is in abundance.

Remarkably, many of the significant historical structures inside the Old City's eight gates have withstood the ravages of time and warfare, including more than 200 synagogues, churches, mosques and other holy shrines. Among the key sites:

The Dome of the Rock. This spectacular example of seventh-century Islamic architecture is topped with a golden dome and adorned with ceramics and mosaics. It protects the Rock, which is recognized by all three religions as the place where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Most Muslims also believe this is where Mohammad left on his journey to heaven.

The Western Wall. Though the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, this remnant endures and has become the most symbolic spot for the Jewish people. It is a center of mourning over the Temple's destruction and Israel's exile. Chris' note: Frequently, the media refers to the Western Wall as the "holiest place in the world" for Jews. This is incorrect. The fact that Muslims control their holiest site (the Dome of the Rock) in no way lessens its importance to them.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Christians revere this as the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. A church was built there in the fourth century, but it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current structure dates to the 12th century and houses the site of Christ's tomb. Chris' note: Full of gold, pomp, and circumstance, I felt this was a gross display of excess. I felt no connection whatsoever to the Church I know. Quite honestly, I wanted to puke while I was inside. With all the ornate decorations, it seemed the antithesis of what Christ stands for. The lowlight of the trip for me.

These sites and dozens of others are why the Old City is considered to be among the world's holiest places by "half of the humans alive today," Feiler said. "It passes the 'wonder' test."