THE CHRISTIAN QUARTER

This area used to be outside the city until King Herod’s times, when the walls were expanded.  When the Church of Holy Sepulchre was built by Constantine, Christians began to visit and some even moved here to be close to the church.

During the Crusaders, the Hospitaller Knights lived in this area. They got their name because the founded a large hospital to care for Christian pilgrims.

Christians have lived in this area ever since, though a few Muslims live here as well and there is at least one major mosque in the quarter – the Mosque of Omar.  Today, the Christian Quarter is full of colorful shops that cater to tourists.

Go back