The Old City of Jerusalem

This morning, Good Morning America announced that the Old City of Jerusalem is the second in its series featuring “7 New Wonders of the World.”

Jerusalem must be the most the most fractured city in the world, with members of three major religions of the world claiming it as the most holy of holy locations.  Jews believes that Jerusalem was the site of Abraham’s sacrifice.  Christians believe it is the site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Muslims believe that it is the where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The land is ravaged by warfare and conflict going back to very early days.  Each conquering group attempted to impose a new holy capital out of what had previously existed, destroying that which had been there before.  Within the walls of Jerusalem, there is a long history of creation coming out of destruction, with people of all faiths trying to live in harmony, sometimes more successfully than others.

Although surrounded by high stone walls (built by the Ottoman Turks back in 1537), the Old City (occupying a little over half a square mile) is still the historic heart of Jerusalem.  Eight gates, which are locked at night, serve as entrances into the old city

Inside the walls are four distinct neighborhoods, Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. The cobblestone streets, virtually unchanged for centuries, connect the crowded neighborhoods, the market shops, and the sacred and historical monuments to each of the faiths.  Although there are many artifacts and locations of religious significance in the old city, the three most important are:  Judaism’s Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall (photo above right), Christianity’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre (top photo, from flickr), and the Muslim Dome of the Rock (wikimedia photo, at left).

The political conflicts, strife, violence and poverty of Jerusalem cannot be underestimated or ignored.  But there is not doubt in my mind, that the city is rich in history, culture, stories, and people.