- Address: Jerusalem, Israel;
- Opening: 1537
The Damascus Gate is the gateway to the Old City in Jerusalem . This is the main entrance to the Muslim quarter and the most beautiful building in the wall. The gates have a long history, and today they are also actively involved in the life of Jerusalem . In addition to the fact that the Damascus Gate is an interesting sight, they also become an excellent start to walk along the city wall.
Construction of the gate
The gates are turned to the north, so the road to the cities of Shechem and Damascus started from them, because of what the gate has two names: Damascus and Shechem, but the most famous is the first. It is interesting that the wide gates that we see today were built on the basis of the ruins of the two gates that served as the entrance to the old city. The first gate was built in the middle of the I century, and the second - in 135. A few years later, a new structure was destroyed by Emperor Andrian, who wanted to build a more majestic entrance to the city, they were nicknamed "Gate-Columns".
Damascus gates, which we can see today, were built in 1542. They got their name from the English. In 1979, a tunnel was opened that led from the gate to the Wailing Wall , thus greatly shortening the path.
Architecture of Damascus Gate
Significant changes in the original appearance of the gate brought the Emperor Andrian, expanding them. They have found three apertures, to our days only one has remained - the eastern one. Also on the lintel there is an inscription - "Elia Kapitolina". This is the name of the city during the reign of the Romans.
During the reign of Andrian, a triumphal column was decorated, decorated with a statue of the emperor himself. Its remains were discovered during excavations. The column was in front of the gate and the "guests of the city" indicated who was its master.
Modern Damascus Gate is located between the towers, which have hinged loopholes. Steps leading to the gate, go down, they were built recently by the decree of the city administration. Above the gates there is a tower with embrasures, which was restored in accordance with the centenary model.
What is interesting about the Damascus Gate?
The Damascus Gate in Jerusalem still attracts the attention of researchers and tourists. Next to them during the excavations were found fragments of the gates built in the second century, paved streets and a spiral staircase that leads to the underground halls built in the Byzantine period.
Information about the finds, as well as the gate and the Old Town can be found in the museum next to the Damascus Gate. The entrance to it is the eastern arch of the gate, built at the time of the Romans.
It is worth noting that the Damascus Gate is open only to pedestrians. Every Friday morning, Muslims march through the gate to the Temple Mount, and in the evening of the same day and Saturday afternoon Jews walk through the gates, their path lies to the Wailing Wall .
How to get there?
You can reach the sights by public transport, near the place there is a bus stop "HaNevi`im Terminal". The buses number 203, 204, 231, 232 and 234 can be reached here. At 300 meters there is another bus station - Terminal / Sultan Sileiman Street A, where routes No.255, x255 and 285 stop.