A wave of visitors celebrated Holy Week in Jerusalem at the sites where Christians mark the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thousands gathered at the Old City, following a decrease in Palestinian-Israeli violence and the overlap of Christian calendars.

Tourists virtually disappeared from Jerusalem when Palestinian suicide bombers began targeting the city after fighting between Israel and the Palestinians broke out in September 2000.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said hundreds of police were deployed around the Old City to maintain order as thousands of pilgrims retrace the route of Jesus' final walk.

The crowds were larger than usual, as five different Christian sects- with their different calendars- celebrated the Holy Week festivities on the same days for the first time in four years.

Pilgrims from the United States, India, South Korea, the Philippines, Russia and many other countries celebrated Good Friday today as they retraced Jesus' final walk through Jerusalem on the day of his death. Many held candles and sang hymns in languages including English, Latin and Hindi.