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Resurrection Park |
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When the Jewish Quarter was returned to Jewish hands in 1967, after
19 years of separation and occupation, there was no better memorial symbol for the
return – the resurrection – than a spectacular park.
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The southern section of the Jewish Quarter, beside the Old City
ramparts, was the chosen site. During the Second Temple period, this area had served
as the living quarters of the aristocratic class, but had gone through several upheavals
during the extended period it was not under Jewish control.
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When the rebellion against the Romans at the end of the Second Temple
period failed, the area was occupied by a Roman legion. Laterm during the Byzantine
period, the Nea Church was built there. The remnants
of the southern wing of the church can be seen on the outskirts of the park, where
a complex, domed structure was discovered. It was used both as a water cistern and
as a support for one of the church's wings.
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The Crusaders built a bathhouse in this area, while the Ayyubids built fortifications
here, as is evident from the Ayyubid tower within the Turkish ramparts. The
Nea Church was damaged during the Moslem conquest, but was in use until
the 9th century when it was totally destroyed and the area became a refuse dump.
The Jerusalem Fund planned to use the convenient topography of the area to establish
an open-air theatre near the inner corner of the tower.
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The Park can be divided into two: In the eastern section, an amphitheatre
has been built above the domed Byzantine cistern, and the western section in which
the sports facilities are concentrated. Both sections extend alongside the southern
ramparts of the Old City, and create many shady areas during most of the year. Moderate
stairways descend from both sides of the park, and the western descent is suitable
for baby strollers as well.
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The Site List
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