A Walk through the Christian and Muslim Quarter

There are four quarters in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Jewish, the Armenian, the Christian, and the Muslim Quarter. By default one could think that these four quarters each have their own character, and that it would be clear when passing from one to another. And while this is true, when it comes to the Jewish and the Armenian Quarter, passing from the Christian to the Muslim Quarter isn’t so clear. 

There definitely are signs, Christian symbols and icons in the Christian Quarter, as well as the tourist shops catering to Christian tourists, and the lack of the same in the Muslim Quarter, and the latter feeling slightly more busy depending on where one finds oneself. But it’s never clear. There are mosques in the Christian Quarter and churches in the Muslim Quarter. And it is never clear who is Christian and who is Muslim. It is as if they are Palestinian more than anything else. It is as if the two quarters are of the same essence.

New Gate, the gate leading into the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
A cafe with guests in the entry street leading to New Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The corner of Les Freres Street, street of brothers, in the Christian Quarter of the Old City in Jerusalem.
Closed shops on Les Freres Street in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Two local shop owners bringing their products in a cart.
A scooter racing through one of the covered parts of the streets in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Moving nearer to the Muslim Quarter via the al-Qadees Francis Street in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
A statue of Virgin Mary observing the passers-by on al-Qadees Francis Street in the Christian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The emblem of the Secular Franciscan Order above the gate to the Christian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The street being blocked by morning traffic in the Christian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Slowly walking from the Christian Quarter to the Muslim Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The minaret of the Mosque of Omar, a mosque built in the 12th century with a 15 meters high minaret.
Local shops in the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem.
The top of the minaret belonging to Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya Mosque.
A Greek flag is seen in the shopping street in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
A Palestinian girl is seen asking her mother for a treat in the local shop.
The street is sloping down towards Al-Zytoun El-Shafa street in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Entering the Muslim Quarter from the Christian Quarter, symbolized by a Christian cross and a Muslim half moon.
Our walk has taken us in to the Al-Zytoun El-Shafa street in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem,
A Palestinian woman is investigating the offerings of one of the shops.
A nun is passing by in the streets of the Muslims Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
At the end of the Al-Zytoun El-Shafa street, entering Al-Wad Street, which leads from the Damascus Gate to the Haram al-Sharif.
The Damascus Gate appears in the background of the busy Al-Wad Street.
The Damascus Gate is a busy point of commerce in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Though we have left the Old City of Jerusalem, the Damascus Gate still witnesses a lot of activity outside the wall.
The Damascus Gate is an important entry point to the Old City of Jerusalem, not only for the local Muslim Palestinians living there, but also for Christians, Jews, and of course tourists from all over the world.
Or is it the beginning? As we move away from the Damascus Gate we can see a continuous stream of people entering the Old City of Jerusalem through the gate. Should we turn around and follow them back into the heart of Jerusalem?

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