This is the most famous tourist market in the Old City. Often known simply as the "Arab Shuk", its proximity to Jaffa Gate, its central location and the beauty of the street attract a large and varied crowd: Jews on their way to services at the Western Wall, Christian pilgrims proceeding to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Muslims going up to pray on the Temple Mount, and thousands of tourists and visitors.
The narrow street and winding alleyways naturally make it impossible for vehicular traffic to pass here, but there is a hustle-bustle and the occasional three-wheeled cart that is swiftly pushed up and down the street.
There are those who believe that David Street and the Street of the Chain are located on the route of the “Decamanus” – the street that traversed the city from east to west during the Late Roman period (the road that was perpendicular to the Cardo.
Photo by Noam Chen