Israel: Jerusalem – 4 Quarters of the Old City

The old city of Jerusalem is divided into four distinct quarters – Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim (and then of course there is the Temple Mount that everyone claims). All four quarters are very distinct and have a totally different culture, look & feel, taste, smell, and energy. Armenian quarter is quiet and solemn, while Jewish is pristinely clean and festive. Christian is swarmed with pilgrims and clergy. Muslim feels like a big souk with many passageways loaded with souvenirs and goods for sale. But even within the quarters it’s still a mishmash of religion – Armenian churches are in the Christian quarter and a mosque is right next to the Church of Holy Sepulchre; Via Dolorosa and many Christian Churches lie in the heart of Mulsim quarter as does the Armenian cathedral. A mosque stands right next to a synagogue in the Jewish quarter and a piece of sacred to Judaism Western Wall is in the Muslim quarter. Confused yet?