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What Caused Jews to Move Outside Jerusalem's Old City Walls in the 1800s?
2/8/2026

What Caused Jews to Move Outside Jerusalem's Old City Walls in the 1800s?

During the mid-19th century, Jerusalem's one-square-kilometer walled area's population, known as the Old City, grew from 15,000 to 70,000 people by the early 20th century. The unbearable congestion, combined with poor sanitary conditions and a strong desire for better living standards, pushed Jews to seek new housing solutions outside the walls. This led to the establishment of Jerusalem suburban neighborhoods including: Mishkenot Sha'ananim, built in 1860, Mahane Israel, built in 1865, and Mea Shearim, built in 1874.

To solve the close-quarters conflict, political leaders such as Sir Moses Montefiore purchased a vast amount of land and built new, spacious neighborhoods. For example, when Montefiore bought and built Yemin Moshe in 1855, the Jewish population within the holy land became more spread out.


As more families sought better living environments, multiple elegant and welcoming communities were built, such as Me’a Sha’arim in 1875 and Kfar Shiloah in 1884. As Jews took note of Jerusalem’s population shift, the city grew into a safe, healthy, and spacious living environment for Jewish families. Additionally, a multitude of factors affected this change: overcrowding, desire for an improved quality of life, and poor sanitation. Furthermore, this time period sought a new wave of turning dreams into reality. Fueled by consistent waves of immigration and Zionism, residents of these contemporary residences built together a community to reclaim their homeland, while also being presented with new challenges.


While residential expansion became inevitable, so did antisemitic and anti-Zionist violence by hostile groups. Considering daily hostility from enemies, the Jewish people persevered, as they continued to expand their presence across Jerusalem. 

Why it matters

The “Leaving the Walls” movement was the foundation for Jerusalem’s expansion. Jews were driven by their poor living conditions within the Old City’s borders and were determined to settle in modern neighborhoods, paving the way for present-day Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Why did the remaining Jewish population leave the Old City in 1948?

During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Jewish Quarter of the Old City came under a heavy siege and blockade by Jordanian and irregular forces. After running out of ammunition and while facing heavy attacks, the remaining Haganah defenders and residents surrendered on May 28, 1948.

Source: blog.nli.org.il/en/hoi_jewish_quarter

2) How many Jews lived in the Old City in 1800?

Approximately 2,000 Jewish residents lived tightly confined within the Old City.

Source: files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ936431.pdf

3) How big is the Old City of Jerusalem?

The Old City of Jerusalem covers an area of approximately 0.9 square kilometers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_of_Jerusalem

Sources

Leaving the Walls The Old City Jerusalem Israel Judaism Zionism