The Russian Quarter

Most visitors to Jerusalem head for the old city. However not far away just off the Jaffa Road lies the Russian Quarter. The old Central Prison lies there and is now open to visitors. Originally this was a hostel for women pilgrims. Under the British mandate it became the centre for law enforcement and justice. Apart from the closure of the prison it remains the same today. The Soviet Union sold the buildings to Israel in the early sixties. The only Russian presence remaining in the quarter is the Orthodox church of Holy Trinity.