The Old City, a historical area within the modern city of Jerusalem about one-fourth the size of New York’s Central Park, is divided into four quarters—Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. The city is home to some of the holiest sites in Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
By Numbers*
Area in dunams: (1 dunam = ~0.25 acres)
Total Area - 900
Muslim Quarter - 461
Christian Quarter - 192
Armenian Quarter - 126
Jewish Quarter – 122
Population:
Muslim Quarter - 26,544
Christian Quarter - 5,442
Jewish Quarter - 2,555
Armenian Quarter - 2,424
Population Density: (persons per dunam) (2002 estimate)
Muslim Quarter - 53.4
Christian Quarter - 27.5
Armenian Quarter - 19.3
Jewish Quarter - 19.2
Religious Breakdown: (2002 estimate)
72% Muslim, 17% Christian, 11% Jewish
Governance
Current Jerusalem Municipality: The Old City is administered by the Jerusalem municipality, currently led by Mayor Nir Barkat. It holds elections every 5 years. Palestinians, who make up a third of Jerusalem’s population, are allowed to vote and run for positions in the municipal elections, but most have boycotted municipal elections since 1967 for fear that voting would be seen as an acceptance of Israel’s annexation of the Arab parts of Jerusalem.
Infrastructure and Services
Street cleaning, trash pickup and the sewage and water systems: The Jerusalem municipality provides these services to all quarters in the Old City.
Electricity: The Jerusalem District Electric Company (JDECO) serves the Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters, and the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) serves the Jewish quarter.
Communication Services: Telephone, television and internet are provided by Bezeq, an Israeli firm.
Housing: Because there is no recognized property registry, many properties and buildings in the Old City do not have deeds or titles, making it difficult for individuals to prove land and property ownership.
Security: Five police stations are located in the Old City, with undercover, paramilitary border police and regular police officers patrolling the area.
Islamic Holy Sites
Total number: ~85
Key sites: Al Harim al Sharif, which includes the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa mosque, shares its locations with the Temple Mount and is the third holiest site for Muslims. The Dome of the Rock is believed to be the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven.
Administration: The Jordanian-funded Awqaf Administration, which has ties to the Palestinian Authority, manages the Muslim holy sites and Islamic endowments in the Old City.
Access: Non-Muslim visitors are allowed to visit Al Harim al Sharif, although there are time restraints and certain restrictions, and Jews are not allowed to perform any kind of prayer. At times the police force limits attendance to prayer services due to security concerns.
Jewish Holy Sites
Total number: ~50
Key site: The Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism. The Wall is the only remaining part of the Second Temple and shares its location with Al Harim al Sharif.
Administration: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, an Israeli governmental organization, maintains the site.
Access: The Western Wall is open to all visitors; however, there are separate areas for men and women.
Christian Holy Sites
Total number: ~95
Key site: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the location of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
Administration: Control is divided among several Christian denominations. The primary custodians are the Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic Churches. The Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Churches also share certain responsibilities.
Access: The Church is open daily to all visitors.
*(Unless otherwise noted, statistics are from the 1995 Israeli census. The Israeli Census Bureau conducted a new census in 2008, but the results have not yet been released. Population estimates after 1995 adjust the census numbers with data from the Israeli Ministry of Interior Registries. However, because the registry does not maintain accounts of births, deaths and changes of address, these estimates do not always provide the most accurate numbers.)
This background basics was primarily sourced from the reports of the Jerusalem Old City Initiative at the University of Windsor.
