The Christian Quarters occupying the northwest quadrant of the four quarter’s inside the walled Old City of Jerusalem, is the epicenter of Christianity worldwide. It’s the first part of Old Jerusalem most pilgrims visit, as it lies beyond the Jaffa Gate, an entrance which traditionally has welcomed Christian pilgrims for centuries.
The Christian Quarter, the other three quarters being the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter, is home to as many as 40 Christian holy places, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, perhaps the most significant site in all Christianity commemorating the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Due to it’s importance, the Christian Quarter was built around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, considered the heart of the quarter.
Around the Christian Quarter you’ll find other holy sites as well as The Via Dolorosa, the path in which Jesus walked from his arrest to his Crucifixion, marked by 14 Stations of the cross. Five of these stations are found in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Whether you walk the entire 14 stations or only visit the last 5 in the Church of Resurrection (Church of the Holy Sepulchre). Christian pilgrims often say it’s the most memorable and spiritual part of experiencing a tour to the holyland.
Surrounding the church there are other monasteries and churches. The Christian quarter also houses souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. The shops are generally in the market street, David Street, as well as the Christian Road. There are a few private hotels and others built by the churches for places for religious pilgrims to stay.
Over time, competition for land in the quarter has increased between different factions of Christianity. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as an example, is held under custody of Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, as well as other sectarian Christian authorities, under an arrangement now centuries old. This has lead to competing time, and space at the holy site. This however has only made it a more unique and diverse spiritual experience to Christian pilgrims of all faiths.