The Magnificent 4 Quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem

Photo by Sander Crombach on Unsplash

Jerusalem is known as the home to some of the holiest sites of the three major religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The modern bustling city, combined with the historic and religious past, makes this a great place to visit. At the heart of all this lies the old city of Jerusalem, a tiny walled section less than one square kilometer (0.35 sq mi).

What most people don’t know is that in addition to the 3 major religions, there is a 4th section of the old city — the Armenian quarter. By far the smallest quarter, with a population of around 2,500, there is still plenty to explore here, including the famous St. James Cathedral, a museum, and a classic Armenian restaurant.

The famous Jewish and Muslim quarters are crowded and filled with much history and holy sites. The Western Wall is the holiest Jewish site while right above it lies the Dome of the Rock, the place where Muhammad is said to have risen to heaven. Both quarters are filled with religious people, prayer sites, and old windy alleyways filled with shops and restaurants.

The Christian Quarter is home to about 40 holy Christian sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Jesus is said to have been crucified, buried, and resurrected. There are many different forms of Christianity in the small Christian quarter, and you will see pilgrims and priests from all over the world.