Jewish Quarter and Cardo

The Jewish Quarter is the southeastern part of Jerusalem's Old City in Israel, rebuilt after 1967 with pale limestone, small plazas and arched lanes. Its main sights include the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, whose white dome dominates the quarter, and the four Sephardic synagogues, which are adjoining historic prayer houses. An observation deck on the Hurva dome, reached by a ticketed climb, gives views over the Western Wall plaza, the Temple Mount and the rooftops. The Cardo is the excavated Roman-Byzantine main street, a colonnaded thoroughfare that once ran the length of the city, now partly sunk below the modern level and partly lined with shops and galleries. Sections of the original columns stand in the open, and a modern arcade holds Judaica workshops, jewellery, art and cafes. Other points of interest include the Wohl Archaeological Museum, known as the Herodian Quarter, with remains of wealthy first-century homes, and the Broad Wall, a fortification from the eighth century BCE. The streets are calm compared with the Muslim and Christian quarters, and residents, students from the yeshivas and visitors share the lanes. A leisurely walk takes about ninety minutes, more if museums are included. Streets are open at all hours, while shops and sites run from roughly 9:00AM to 5:00PM and close early on Friday and on Saturday. Weekday mornings are quietest, and tour groups gather around the Hurva Square and Cardo late morning. The quarter is a living neighbourhood, so modest clothing and quiet behaviour are appreciated, especially near synagogues. Entry to the quarter is free, though the Hurva dome and some museums charge. Cardo shops are tourist oriented, but independent Judaica artists can be found in the side lanes. Visitors can walk from Zion Gate in five minutes or from the Western Wall in about ten.