Gates of the Old Jerusalem

Eight gates lead into the Old City: Damascus Gate (Shechem Gate), Jaffa Gate, Zion Gate (Gate of David), Dung Gate, Lions’ Gate, Herod’s Gate (Flower Gate), New Gate and Golden Gate.

Damascus Gate, or Shechem Gate, Gate of the Column, is the most beautiful and most decorated one leading into the Muslim Quarter. The road to Damascus and Shechem started out from it. It was built in its today’s appearance by a Turkish sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Arabs call it “Gate of the Column” in memory of a column of the Roman period, from which distance from Jerusalem to other cities was measured.

From Jaffa Gate walking around the Old City is most convenient; therefore, it is the busiest one with many tourists always being here. The road leading to Jaffa — the main port of the Mediterranean Sea of that time, started from it. In 1898, it was enlarged for passing through of the coach of German Emperor Wilhelm II during his visit to Jerusalem. In 1917, through Jaffa Gate British general Allenby walked after his victory over Turks.

Zion Gate or David’s Gate is located near Mount Zion, on which the Tomb of King David rests. It leads into the Jewish Quarter of the city. In its today’s form it was also built by Suleiman the Magnificent. Zion Gate once did not have any major significance and was used by the locals for walking out of the city while visiting a cemetery or religious sanctuaries located on Mount Zion.

The gate still has traces left by bullets fired during Israeli army’s fight for independence.

Dung Gate is the smallest and it leads into the Muslim Quarter. Through them garbage was taken out to the city’s dump. Arabs sometimes call them by the name of a settlement that used to be situated nearby — Siloah. It once was a small breach in the fortress wall, but Jordanians later enlarged the gate to its present size and now automobiles can drive through it.

Lions’ Gate, Gethsemane’s Gate, Lamb’s Gate, Virgin Mary’s Gate or Stephen’s Gate is decorated with heraldic lions, symbols of the Mamluks, and is facing Jericho. As a legend has it, Saint Stephen was martyred in the vicinity of this gate; therefore, it bears his name. In Christian tradition, Jesus before His execution walked out of Jerusalem through this very gate. It is sometimes called Virgin Mary’s gate, since her tomb is located not far away from it. One can get through it into the Muslim Quarter. Via Dolorosa — the Crucifixion Way or the Way of Jesus Christ’s Passions — also starts here.

Herod’s Gate or Flower Gate, “Lunatics’ Gate” leads into the Muslim Quarter. It is named in honour of Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, since a house located nearby was once falsely believed to be his. It is also called Flower Gate because it is ornamented with flower garlands, and, according to another legend, once a great many flowers was planted at this gate. Arabs call it “Gate of Lunatics” after the name of a nearby cemetery.

The New Gate or Hamid’s Gate was built in the end of XIX century on an order of sultan Abdul Hamid for decreasing the number of pilgrims walking to the Sepulcher Temple through Jaffa Gate. It became very convenient to enter in from the side of the New City that was being built. New Gate leads to the Christian Quarter of the city.

The Golden or Mercy Gate, Gate of Answer, has been sealed for many years now. According to Hebrew tradition, through it Messiah is supposed to get into the city from the Olive Mountain and at the order of Suleiman the Great, Turks walled up the gate to block the Messiah’s entrance. Muslim Arabs laid a cemetery in front of the gate, which is considered to be an unclean place in Judaism, and Jewish high priests cannot step on the cemetery’s land. Christians believe that through this very gate Jesus rode on a white little donkey to enter into the Temple.