Mamilla Pedestrian Mall is an upscale open-air mall next to Jerusalem’s Old City. It is known for its high-end shops, restaurants, and cafes, and its prime location next to Jaffa Gate.

Mamilla – An Aqueduct That Became a Mall

In ancient times, a water reservoir west of Jerusalem’s Old City provided much of its water supply. Based on the winter rains, the Arabs called it May min Allah – Water from God. Over the years, the name was shortened to – Mamilla. In the early 20th century, a commercial street called Mamilla developed over the aqueduct that delivered the reservoir’s water into the city.  Mamilla Street was known for its shops, garages, and first car agencies in Palestine.

The 1948 Israeli-Arab war caused Jerusalem to split between Israel and Jordan, and the border was in the middle of Mamilla Street. In fear of Jordanian snipers, Israel set a cement wall in the middle of the street, and both sites were abandoned. But following the Six-Day War in 1967, Jerusalem was unified under Israeli rule. At the turn of the 21st century, commercial entrepreneurship developed the street into an upscale open mall.

Exploring Mamilla Pedestrian Mall

Mamilla Mall blends a diversity of fashion shops, cafes, and a hotel with a historical landmark. Stroll along the the street and appreciate its historical buildings, some with each stone still numbered, echoing the the vast modern development.