PRACTICAL INFORMATION
sights and hostels. To reach Jaffa Gate from West Jerusalem, walk down Jaffa Rd.
to the very end and continue straight across the intersection, or take buses #6, 20,
21, or 99. To reach Damascus Gate, walk to the end of Jaffa Rd. and take a left
onto Ha-Tzanhanim St. (Paratroopers St.); from further up Jaffa St. (e.g. near the
Mahaneh Yehuda market), walking straight down Ha-Nevi'im St. is more direct.
Buses #1, 2, 37, and 44 go to Damascus Gate.
The two main roads in the Old City are the roof-covered David St. beginning
inside Jaffa Gate and turning into Bab al-Silsilah St. (Gate of the Chain) as it
approaches the Temple Mount, and Suq Khan al-Zeit, beginning inside Damascus
Gate and turning into the Cardo as it crosses David St.
Damascus Gate is Arab East Jerusalem's entryway into the Old City, leading
right to the heart of the Muslim Quarter's souq (market). Just inside Damascus
Gate, the road forks into al-Wad St. (on the left) and Suq Khan al-Zeit St. (on the
right). This area is less safe after dark; those staying here should plan to return to
hostels by nightfall. The Cardo leads into the Jewish Quarter; this quarter is also
directly accessible through Dung Gate. The Armenian Quarter is to the right as you
enter through Jaffa Gate and is directly accessible via Zion Gate. Inside Jaffa Gate
to the left is the Christian Quarter, which can also be reached directly from the New
Gate. Of the other three gates, St. Stephen's Gate (Lion's Gate) is closest to the
both the Mount of Olives (outside the Old City) and the start of the Via Dolorosa;
Herod's Gate enters into a less-touristed section of the Muslim Quarter, and the
entrance at the Golden Gate is blocked.
EAST JERUSALEM. The old, invisible Green Line separating Jordan from pre-1967
Israel runs along Derekh Ha-Shalom (Peace Rd.) and is still a good general demar-
cation between Palestinian and Jewish areas of Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is the
name normally given to the Palestinian parts of Jerusalem just outside the Old
City to the north and east; it sometimes includes the Old City. Suleiman St. in
front of Damascus Gate, and Salah al-Din St. which runs out from Herod's Gate,
are the main roads in central East Jerusalem. Ha-Nevi'im St. (Musrada in Arabic),
which runs in from Jaffa Rd. in West Jerusalem, converges with Nablus Rd. at
Damascus Gate; the small but busy area has many falafel and shawarma stands,
fruit vendors, dry goods stores, and hostels, all with cheaper prices than practi-
cally anywhere else in Jerusalem. Central East Jerusalem is the financial and cul-
tural hub of the Arab community.
П practical information
OLD CITY
TOURIST AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Tourist Office: The tourist information office in Safra Sq. in West Jerusalem is superior to
those in the Old City and worth the lOmin. walk from Jaffa Gate (see 20). The Tour-
ist Information Center (ет628 03 82), on the left just inside Jaffa Gate, sells books,
postcards, phone cards, maps, and stamps. Books Egged bus tours. Also has money
exchange and Internet (NIS0.50 per min.). Open Su-Th 8am-7pm, F 8am-4pm.
Special Interest Tourist Offices: Christian Information Center , inside Jaffa Gate, opposite the
Tower of David. Offers information on Jerusalem's pilgrimage sights and Christian
accommodations. Open M-Sa 8:30am-lpm. Franciscan Pilgrims Office, P.O. Box 186
(m627 26 97), in the same building as the Christian Information Center.