Old City of Jerusalem

The Old City of Jerusalem, a compact 0.9-square-kilometer walled area, is traditionally divided into four quarters: Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish. This division, solidified by historical mapping practices, reflects the distinct communities that have coexisted within its confines. However, the spatial and spiritual geography is dominated by the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif.

This elevated plateau is central to the Old City's identity and a focal point of religious and political contention. For Judaism, it is the site of the ancient Temples, with the Western Wall serving as its most accessible remnant. For Islam, it is Haram al-Sharif, the 'Noble Sanctuary,' housing the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third holiest site.

The presence of these paramount holy sites within such close proximity creates a unique, densely layered sacred landscape that has been a source of both devotion and conflict for millennia.

The imposing walls that currently define the Old City were constructed between 1535 and 1542 under the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. These fortifications, including numerous gates, were a significant undertaking by the Ottoman Empire to secure and demarcate the city. While they represent a specific historical period, these walls have become synonymous with the Old City's enduring image.

Their construction reflects a strategic effort to re-establish Jerusalem's importance within the Ottoman Empire and to protect its sacred sites. The architectural style and defensive capabilities of these walls have allowed them to withstand the test of time, serving as a physical barrier that has shaped the city's internal life and external perception for nearly five centuries.

The Old City of Jerusalem stands as a paramount spiritual center for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three monotheistic religions that trace their lineage to Abraham. For Judaism, it is the historical and spiritual heart, the site of the First and Second Temples, with the Western Wall acting as a tangible link to this past and a primary focus of prayer. Christianity venerates the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to encompass the sites of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, making it a cornerstone of Christian pilgrimage.

Islam regards the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif as its third holiest site, following Mecca and Medina, and it is here that the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are located. This concentration of deeply revered sites within a small area makes the Old City a unique global pilgrimage destination and a constant reminder of shared and divergent religious histories.

The designation 'Old City' can be somewhat misleading, as its current layout and boundaries differ significantly from its ancient antecedents. Archaeological consensus points to the City of David, a Bronze and Iron Age settlement on a spur south of the Temple Mount, as the original nucleus of Jerusalem. Throughout history, the city's extent has fluctuated; during the Late Second Temple period, it reached its largest territorial span, encompassing areas like Mount Zion and the Temple Mount.

The walls built by Suleiman represent a later, more northerly shifted, and somewhat contracted footprint compared to its historical peak. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of urban development, where settlements grow, shrink, and reconfigure over millennia, often leaving behind layers of archaeological evidence that tell the story of their past inhabitants.

Historically, the Old City walls encompassed nearly all of Jerusalem until the mid-19th century, when urban expansion led to the development of neighborhoods and villages outside its confines, such as Mishkenot Sha'ananim and Silwan. The geopolitical status of Jerusalem, and specifically the Old City, has been a subject of significant international attention. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Old City came under Jordanian control.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City, and has since asserted its control over the entire city. This assertion is not recognized under international law, which defines East Jerusalem as occupied territory. In 1981, the Old City, along with its walls, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, acknowledging its exceptional universal value and the need for its preservation, irrespective of political boundaries.