Jerusalem's Old City Roman Roadwork Begins for Accessibility
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Work has begun in Jerusalem's Old City to dismantle and preserve a 1,900-year-old Roman-era street pavement on the "Christian Quarter" street. The project aims to improve accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers by re-laying some original stones and installing a new accessible surface. The ancient paving dates to approximately 135 CE, and the work also includes infrastructure upgrades and facade repairs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 1,900-year-old Roman-era street pavement is being dismantled in Jerusalem's Old City.
- The project aims to improve accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Ancient stones will be documented, preserved, and partially reinstalled.
- The Roman paving dates back to approximately 135 CE.
- Underground infrastructure and street facades will also be repaired.
The Israel Antiquities Authority has commenced work to dismantle and preserve a 1,900-year-old Roman-era pavement on the "Christian Quarter" street in Jerusalem's Old City. This project is part of an initiative to improve accessibility throughout the historic area.
The ancient stones will be meticulously documented, numbered, and measured before removal. Following an assessment of their condition, some stones will be reinstalled, while others will be stored. The original Roman paving will be repositioned along the eastern side of the street, creating a roughly 1.5-meter wide section. The western side will be covered with a level, accessible surface suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
This Roman paving dates back to approximately 135 CE, during the period of Aelia Capitolina. Efforts to address this section of the street began as early as 1977 by the Jerusalem Municipality and the East Jerusalem Development Company, as part of infrastructure improvements. Archaeologists had previously uncovered remnants of a large stone-paved street, dating to the early Byzantine period, beneath the current street level. This street was identified as part of the medieval Patriarch's Street.
During the current accessibility project, underground infrastructure, including water and electricity pipes, will also be replaced. Facades, canopies, and connections to adjacent streets will be repaired, consistent with previous accessibility upgrades in other Old City alleyways. The goal is to integrate historical elements into the modern streetscape while ensuring the preservation of the ancient stones.