Ancient walls are crumbling

2005-11-18 18:25

Jerusalem - Large sections of the 16th century walls surrounding Jerusalem's Old City could collapse unless they undergo immediate restoration, an Israeli newspaper reported on Friday.

According to an engineering survey conducted by the Israeli Antiquities Authority, 380 metres, or one-tenth, of the walls' extension are in immediate danger of collapse.

The survey showed 11 sections of the stone wall needing attention, mostly along the northern stretch, which flanks the Muslim quarter, and the southern stretch, which skirts the Jewish quarter.

The area in most need of work is the section which flanks the southern supporting wall of the al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam.

The site also houses the ruins of the ancient Jewish temple, the most sacred spot in Judaism, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Israeli authorities have repeatedly called attention to a bulge in the southern supporting wall of the al-Aqsa mosque compound, provoking tensions between the Jewish and Muslim communities.

"The examination shows that the signs of cracking and crumbling, which are evidence of structural problems, have increased and become more widespread," said the report. "New cracks were also revealed in the southern wall (of the mosque compound), which shows evidence of movement in the entire wall."

Another 29 sections of the wall, extending a total of 1 280 metres, are also in danger of collapse, but the threat is not quite so imminent, said the report.

The Old City is divided culturally and historically into four parts - the Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim quarters.

Built by Suleiman the Magnificent between 1536 and 1541, the Old City walls stretch a total length of 3.8 kilometres.

- SAPA