The Christian Quarter: A Well-Preserved Home
The Christian Quarter is one of the four quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City. Since the 4th century CE, the Christian Quarter has been home to Christians of many denominations over the centuries. At the heart of the Christian Quarter is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, buried, and resurrected. Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Ethiopian Christians, and other denominations all contribute to the religious life of the neighborhood. Holidays like Christmas and Easter are celebrated every year here, honoring age-old traditions that still endure today.
The boundaries of the Christian Quarter were defined by the British Royal Engineers in 1841, and since then, many preservation efforts have been made to maintain the quarter. Enter the Christian Quarter through one of the city’s historic gates – the Damascus Gate, Jaffa Gate, or the New Gate.
On your visit to the Christian Quarter, you can walk the Via Dolorosa, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and stop in at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Round out the day wandering through the Muristan, a plaza filled with Christian shops, bakeries, and cafes.
Although the number of Christians living in the quarter has declined, a strong community of Christians still remains there today. However, the increasing cost of living, along with few job opportunities, has made it difficult to keep the community growing. Unfortunately, many Christians whose families have lived in the quarter for generations are choosing to relocate to other neighborhoods in Jerusalem.
