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Jerusalem was a city located in the hills of the Judean Mountains, in between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.

History

High Middle Ages

In the early 12^th century, the Templar Bernard de Clairvaux sent nine trusted men to find the Temple of Solomon beneath Jerusalem. When these men returned nine years later, he reinvented the Order into a knightly organization. This organization became known as the Knights Templar, allowing the Templars to become public for the first time since their Order's founding.

Jerusalem was the largest city in the Holy Land during the 12^th century and housed exquisite mosques and cathedrals, which denoted the contrast of cultures present. The city was under the control of Sultan Saladin and his Saracen army during the Third Crusade, while the Crusaders under King Richard I were vying heavily to take control of the holy city.

By the time of the Third Crusade, the city secretly housed both Templars and Assassins. In 1191, a group of Templars led by their Grand Master Robert de Sable and a team of Assassins composed of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and the brothers Malik and Kadar Al-Sayf infiltrated Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to obtain an "Apple of Eden", an artifact that was hidden deep inside the temple, atop the Ark of the Covenant. When both factions met, it resulted in a conflict that led to the death of Kadar and the severe wounding of Malik's arm, though Malik was successfully able to bring the Apple of Eden back to the Assassins' headquarters in Masyaf.

Throughout the rest of the year, Altaïr assassinated several clandestine Templars working inside Jerusalem with the help of Malik Al-Sayf, who had become the rafiq of the city's Assassins' bureau. Among these Templars was Talal, a slave trader and Majd Addin, regent of Jerusalem in Saladin's absence. Ultimately, Altaïr also attempted to take the life of Robert de Sable during Majd Addin's funeral, but failed due to Robert having taken precautions and disguising his fellow Templar Maria Thorpe as himself to act as a decoy.

When Altaïr, who by 1257 had become the Mentor of the Levantine Assassins, dispersed the Assassins from Masyaf, they shifted their primary presence in the Levant to Jerusalem, working in secret.

Renaissance

By the time the Renaissance had begun spreading through Europe, the Mamluks were ruling over Jerusalem. Unlike the Saracens, the Mamluks directly opposed the Assassins and attempted to erase their presence from the city. In 1511, the Mamluks arrested the Assassins' leader Mujir in order to intimidate them, but their attempt failed when he was rescued by a group of Ottoman Assassins sent from Constantinople by the Mentor of the Italian Assassins, Ezio Auditore da Firenze. With help from the Ottoman Assassins, the city eventually came under strong Assassin control and flourished.

Districts

Poor District

The Poor District of Jerusalem was the smallest district of the city, with a large amount of alleyways and low buildings. Guards were fairly spread across the area, while the traffic moving through the streets was relatively clear. The main features of the district included a mosque, a southernmost church and a synagogue. These were all places that were generally alive with activity and provided a good source for information, which was valuable for Altaïr during his assassination task. Eventually, Altaïr tracked his target, Majd Addin, to an execution that he was performing in the east side of the district. This section contained an execution platform that was set against the rocky outcrop and walls of the Dome of the Rock, along with several high buildings that overlooked the area.

Middle District

The Middle District was a medium sized district and fairly spaced out with guards and civilians. The most significant landmarks in the district included the hospital and guard tower, situated near the edge of the district and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the bottom half of the district. Founded in c.326 CE by Queen Helena, the church was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times during the Crusaders' occupation of Jerusalem in the 12th century. This district was also were the funeral of Majd Addin was held, in an area just behind the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Altaïr attempted the assassinate the Templar Grand Master Robert de Sable, but instead discovered he had been replaced by Maria Thorpe.

Rich District

The Rich District was easily the largest of the districts, dominating the city. Given its size, guards and civilians were fairly spread out across the area. The buildings were relatively high, with a number of climbable viewpoints. Several notable landmarks included the district's mosque, the markets that lined the border between the Jewish and Muslim quarters of the district and St Anne's Church. However, the most prominent landmark in the district and probably the entire city, was the Dome of the Rock. Completed in 691 CE, the Dome of the Rock was situated atop the Temple Mount and was the one of the holiest sites in the Islamic faith. Underneath the Temple Mount was the ancient temple of King Solomon, where the Ark of the Covenant is located, along with the Apple of Eden recovered by Altaïr and the brothers Malik and Kadar Al-Sayf.

Map

File:Jerusalem Rich District.png	File:Jerusalem Middle District.png	File:Jerusalem Poor District.png
Rich District	Middle District	Poor District

Gallery

• A painting of the city.
  A painting of the city.
• Concept art of the Assassins' Bureau in Jerusalem.
  Concept art of the Assassins' Bureau in Jerusalem.
• Altaïr looking out over the city from Solomon's Temple.
  Altaïr looking out over the city from Solomon's Temple.