Old City of Jerusalem, Walled historic quarter in East Jerusalem, Israel.
The Old City of Jerusalem is a walled historic quarter in East Jerusalem that covers roughly one square kilometer. It comprises four residential neighborhoods—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian—all enclosed within limestone walls built centuries ago.
The walls and gates visible today were built in the 16th century under Ottoman rule and have defined the quarter's appearance ever since. These fortifications replaced earlier structures from previous periods.
Three major world religions hold their most sacred sites here: the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Al-Aqsa Mosque. These places shape daily life, and visitors encounter people from different faiths practicing their traditions in close proximity.
You can enter through seven functioning gates, with Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate serving as the main access points. The streets are narrow and stone-paved, so sturdy shoes and patience when navigating are helpful.
Beneath the streets lie remains from thousands of years that reveal how different civilizations layered atop each other. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts ranging from ancient temple periods to recent centuries.
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