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Surrounded by glorious walls, the Old City in Jerusalem is the landmark of the city, and the meeting place for three great mythologies - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Within its lively narrow alleys and colorful markets lie the major historical and religious sites of the world's three main religions, revealing the ancient history from the times of King David, Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad. The Old City of Jerusalem represents the heart of the city and is surrounded by impressive 16th century Ottoman city walls. From the Jerusalem travel guide you’ll come to know that it makes one of the most popular places of sightseeing in Jerusalem. The Old City was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 1981 and in 1982 it was added to the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Old City in Jerusalem is further into four different Quarters: the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. The Old City in Jerusalem has a rich history that stretches back more than 3,000 years. The Old City in Jerusalem is surrounded by a wall built in the first half of the 16th century by the Ottoman Turk, Suleyman the Magnificent. The gates are, in clockwise order:
1. Jaffa Gate is on the western side of the city next to the Citadel.
2. New Gate is on the northeastern edge of the Old City, the closest gate to and convenient for entry to the Christian Quarter.
3. Damascus Gate is on the northern side of the city and is the most monumental of all the gates.
4. Herod's Gate is on the northern side of the city, faces Arab East Jerusalem.
5. St Stephen's Gate is on the eastern side of the city and faces the Mount of Olives and is the start of the Via Dolorosa.
6. Golden Gate is on the east wall of the Temple Mount, was long ago sealed shut by the Muslims in the 7th century.
7. Dung Gate is on the southern side of the city, it provides direct access to the Jewish quarter and the Western Wall.
8. Zion Gate is on the southern side of the city, it provides direct access to the Armenian quarter from Mount Zion.
To appreciate the beauty and ethnicity of the Old City of Jerusalem, you need not be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, or even be overly concerned with religion. Its beauty surpasses all the barriers of religion and anyone with a sense of history or spirituality is sure to get overwhelmed by it.
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