Jewish Quarter  
 

Jerusalem's Old City is divided into four quarters: Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian. The Jewish quarter in located beyond the Zion Gate (from which roads run down into the Hinnom and Kidron valleys and up to Mount Zion). This part of the Old City was laid in ruins during the Israeli-Arab fighting in 1948 and subsequently, and was rebuilt after 1967. At the end of the Jewish Quarter lies the one of the holiest Jewish places, the Western wall or Wailing wall and the Temple Mount.
The Cardo - The Cardo Maximus, one of Jerusalem's two principal streets in Roman and Byzantine times, is located on the west side of the Jewish quarter. Excavated between 1976 and 1985 for a length of just under 200m/220yds, it now lies 6m/20ft below the modern ground level and accordingly runs underground for part of its course. This magnificent avenue used to be flanked by columns supporting a roof and lined with shops. One section of the old cardo is now again a stylish shopping street.
Hurva Synagogue - Jerusalem are the remains of the Hurva Synagogue, founded by Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, who came from Poland in 1701 with 500 Ashkenazis. After Rabbi Hanassi's death the synagogue fell into ruin (hurva = "ruin") and was rebuilt only in 1856. Thereafter, until its destruction in 1948, the synagogue again became the spiritual center of Jerusalem's Ashkenazi Jews. The synagogue was never fully restored, despite several plans of restoration designed after 1967. It now consists only of a domed central structure and a reconstructed arch, a symbol of the whole quarter and a reminder of the synagogue's former grandeur.