Via Recta

Farther south is the Street Called Straight the 2 000-year-old Roman Via Recta which runs the entire length of the old city. (Unfortunately it’s also the major thoroughfare for cars in the Old City making it an unpleasant route for pedestrians.) The halfway point is marked by a Roman archway and east of that is the Christian quarter.

Many different denominations—Syrian Catholic Greek Catholic Armenian Orthodox Armenian Catholic and Maronites—have churches in the quarter. Be sure to see the Nassan Palace an opulent home-cum-museum near Bab Sharqi (East Gate) and a short walk north of there the Chapel of Ananias. It’s in the cellar where according to the Bible Ananias restored Saul’s (St. Paul’s) sight. The Christian quarter (from Bab Sharqi to Bab Touma—Thomas Gate) and the Shia quarter (just northeast of the Omayyad Mosque) are good areas for quiet scenic walks.