Views from the Ramparts of the Old City

Today we decided to live on the edge a bit; we went to the Old City without the stroller to do the Ramparts Walk. This walk runs along the ramparts of the Old City Walls. The walls were originally built in the 16th-century by the Ottoman ruler Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. For 400 years, Turkish sentries patrolled the ramparts. The British (who conquered the Turks) kept the ramparts intact and later, the Jordanians (who took possession of the Old City after the 1948 War with Israel), actively used the ramparts. After the 1967 War, when Israel gained control of Jerusalem, the ramparts were refurbished as part of the Walls Around Jerusalem National Park. There are two sections of the Ramparts Walk: the northern route goes along the perimeter of the Christian and Muslim quarters of the Old City, and the southern route takes you past the Armenian and Jewish quarters. We took the southern route because we walked the northern route the last time we were in the city, and the southern route is shorter (once you start the walk, you can't leave the ramparts until the end). This walk is not recommended for young children, but we're selfish and wanted to see the cool views, so we dragged the boys along with us anyway. We got lucky; they handled the walk beautifully!

 



 

This basic map shows the four quarters of the Old City. We started our walk near the Jaffa Gate (on the left), and ended near the Dung Gate.

 



 

Here are Eric and Alexander near the start of the Ramparts Walk. The Tower of David is in the background. I'm not sure if you can see Alexander's face, but he's not too happy. He thought the backpack was cool for approximately 10 minutes. Then he wanted out!

 

In this picture, the "new city" is to the right of the wall (though of course the "new city" is around the wall on all sides). There are some lovely neighborhoods in that particular direction, including the German Colony.

 

There's a lot to see from up on the Ramparts. Alexander was quick to notice the busses, trucks, and cars passing on the busy roads outside the Old City.

 

Just like a sentry making his rounds...

 

 

Eric and Alexander with the Church of the Dormition and Dormition Abbey in the background. This church was built on the site where some believe the Virgin Mary died.

 

 

I love the cyprus and pine trees that you see all over this city. Here they are growing in the courtyard of the Dormition Abbey.

 

 

In this photo, notice the satellite dishes, solar panels, water tanks, and lines of laundry on the roof of the building in the foreground. You see these things on nearly every roof in this city. Solar water heaters, in particular, are actually mandated by the government. The Dome of the Rock is visible to the left. In the distance is Mt. Scopus.

The Mount of Olives. Because it is so close to the sacred Temple Mount, this site has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years. It holds over 150,000 graves.

This walk involves lots of stairs...

 

Taking a break. It was hot out there! Notice Benjamin trying to steal Alexander's granola bar.

 

It was a tight squeeze on the way out of the Ramparts Walk, but we made it! Then we continued down to the Western Wall for a quick visit before heading home for a falafel lunch!