Gates of Jerusalem

Gates of Jerusalem

Gate of Gold: This is one of the famous Gates of Jerusalem and is also known by the names Gate of Mercy, Gate of Eternal Life, Sha'ar Harahamim. According to ancient Jewish legends, it is through this gate that the Messiah will again enter Jerusalem. A theory by the Christians is that before his death, Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time through this gate. In Islamic tradition it is believed to be the gate about which is mentioned in Quran, that justice will be delivered on the Judgment Day through this gate.

Herod's Gate or the Flower Gate- The first name was given erroneously to this gate by the pilgrims who thought it leads to Herod's palace. In Arabic it is known by the name Flower Gate.

Lion's Gate- According to legend, once the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had a dream, that he would be devoured by lions, if he does not built a wall around the city and protects the citizens. Therefore he built the wall with a gate which had lions engraved on both the sides.

Zion Gate- You will find the Zion Gate in the Old City named after Mount Zion and in Arabic it has the name ''Prophet David's Gate'', since you have to pass through this gate to go to King David's tomb on Mount Zion.

Damascus Gate: This is the largest and most beautifully adorned among all the Gates of Jerusalem, in the Old City. From here you can take the road to Nablus from where you can go to Damascus.

Jaffa Gate: This gate is known in Arbaic as Bab-el-Khalil or the gate of Hebron since you can get the main road to Hebron from here. The other name of this gate is Jaffa Gate because of the starting of the road leading to the Jaffa city also from here. Of all the Gates of Jerusalem, this gate which is the main entrance point to the Old City is also the only gate found in the western side of the city. It was witness to the English General Allenby's entrance to Jerusalem in 1917.

Dung Gate: In the book of Nehemiah this gate is regarded as a dispatch point for the discarded food of the city and hence the name.

Sha'ar Gate: According to Nehemiah, of all the Gates of Jerusalem his trip to the city of Jerusalem began from Shaa'r HaGai which is a site on the road leading to Jerusalem. In Arabic the name is Bab el Wad, meaning the Valley Gate.

Book Jerusalem hotels now