The Christian Quarter is one of the four quarters that exists within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, alongside the Jewish, Armenian and Islamic Quarters.
Location
The Christian Quarter is located in the northwestern corner of the city. It extends north from the Jadid Gate (New Gate) and continues along the Western Wall, until the Hebron Gate in the south.[1]
History
The quarter has its origins in the time of the Byzantine Empire when residents of the area began building around the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Due to its religious importance, the quarter was restored and expanded by western funds and donations.[2] Most quarter’s land, specifically around the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, is owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.[3] The quarter has some of the oldest buildings in Jerusalem and is now inhabited by roughly 7,000 Jerusalemites, most of whom are Christian.[4]
Landmarks
The quarter is packed with historic landmarks such as churches, monasteries, hotels, markets and restaurants. The quarter has more than 40 Christian sites including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.[5] The quarter is also home to churches that are associated with different Christian sects, such as the Latin Patriarchate, San Salvador, Franciscan Monastery, and the oldest church in Jerusalem, the Church of John the Baptist..[6] Museums associated with the Orthodox Patriarchate, and a pool called Hezekiah used to store rainwater also exist within the confines of the Christian quarter.[7]
The most famous commercial street in the quarter is the Morstan, which has a hospital built by the Crusaders in the eleventh century. The Omar Mosque is also located within the Christian Quarter.[8]
Judization Policy
Similar to the other parts of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Christian Quarter faced many Israeli attempts to change its Arab character and deport its Christian inhabitants. Israel has taken many steps to control the quarter. In addition to facilitating the immigration process for Christians in Jerusalem, Israel has taken over many Christian Arab lands and institutions around and within the Christian Quarter, such as Petra and Imperial Hotels, which are used to host Christian pilgrims in the city.[9] Furthermore, the Israeli municipal government imposes high taxes on Christian Jerusalemites and threatens to demolish their homes in the quarter unless they pay a sum of $38,000 for each house. This seriously threatens the Arab Christian presence in the city for most inhabitants cannot afford to make that payment on their homes.[10] There are two Israeli centers for Jewish settlers that maintain a permanent Israeli presence in the quarter.[11]
[1 “The Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem: How did it Get the Name?” at https://www.ishtartv.com/viewarticle,49773.html posted August 28, 2013 and “Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem,” at https://www.aljazeera.net/news/alquds/2018/2/21/معالم-القدس-حارة-النصارى posted February 21, 2018
[2] The Christian Neighborhood: How did it get the Name?
[3] Id
[4] Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem
[5] “The Christian Neighborhood and the Israeli Attempts to end the Christian Presence therein,” at http://www.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=7f1WPFa856727125221a7f1WPF posted June 19, 2018 and Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem
[6] “Get to Know the Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem,” at https://albawabhnews.com/3046763 posted April 12, 2018
[7] The Christian Neighborhood and the Israeli Attempts to end the Christian Presence therein
[8] Get to Know the Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem
[9] The Christian Neighborhood and the Israeli Attempt to end the Christian Presence therein
[10] “A tour in the Christian Neighborhood in Jerusalem,” at http://alquds-online.org/news/9062 posted July 2, 2009
[11] Mohammad Qazza and Latifa Abd Al-Latif, Neighborhoods of Jerusalem, p 9
Pictures:
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/161425967867262283/
- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jerusalem-christian-quarter-kopt-osterfest-a.jpg
