Cardo Street, Jerusalem

Cardo Street (the Cardo Maximus) was the main colonnaded north–south street of Roman and Byzantine Jerusalem. It was laid out in the 120s–130s AD under Emperor Hadrian, when the city was rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina, and ran south from today’s Damascus Gate, where a column stood in a square, through the heart of the city. At its crossing with the east–west Decumanus stood a forum, the centre of public and commercial life.

In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian extended the Cardo further south, past the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the new Nea Church and the area of today’s Zion Gate. The street was about 22–24 meters wide including its porticoes, with a central roadway of about 12 meters and covered colonnades with shops on both sides. It appears clearly on the 6th-century Madaba Map, a mosaic map of the Holy Land found in Jordan.

The excavated section visible today lies in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, about four meters below the modern street level. It belongs to Justinian’s Byzantine extension and was uncovered by the archaeologist Nahman Avigad in the 1970s; some of its stone columns, about 5 meters high, have been set back up in their original positions. Entrance to this part is free.

In the Crusader period, vaulted market halls were built along the street. Part of the restored Cardo is now a covered arcade with galleries, Judaica and souvenir shops, preserving the commercial character of its ancient predecessor.

Quick facts:

• Original construction: 2nd century AD under Emperor Hadrian; extended south under Justinian in the 6th century.
• Original width: ~22–24 meters including the porticoes; central roadway: ~12 meters.
• Location: Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem.
• Notable remains: Byzantine columns, fragments of colonnades.
• Modern use: Covered street with shops and souvenir stalls.
• Recommended visit time: 15–20 minutes.
• Access: Walk from Jaffa Gate along David Street to reach Cardo.

Cardo Street represents a living connection to Jerusalem’s Roman and Byzantine past, integrating archaeological heritage into the modern urban fabric.