Jerusalem Gates
The magnificent walls of Jerusalem Old City constitute a living example of Arab Islamic architecture. The walls surrounding the Old City, Jerusalem, were built by the Ottoman under the direct supervision of Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanouni in 1542. The Jerusalem walls stretch for 12 miles over an area with a diameter of 2.5 miles and rise to an average height of 40 feet, and a width of more than 7 feet. It contains 43 surveillance towers and 11 gates, seven of which are presently open.
Jerusalem City Walls, constructed of great blocks of stone, are basically those built by the Turkish Sultan Suleiman between 1539 and 1542 on the foundations of the Roman Aelia Capitolina. They measure 2 1/2 miles in circumference and vary in height according to the conformation of the land.
"Our feet shall stand within the gates, O Jerusalem", (Psalm 122:2)
Walls Of Jerusalem
In the Jerusalem gates, we can see the heavy doors that were closed every day at sunset until the 1870's. Below the arch of the entrance is an inscription mentioning by name ''Suleiman the Magnificent'', the builder of the wall. The construction of the wall, which continued from 1535/6 to 1541, was planned and supervised by Suleiman's chief architect, Sinan Pasha. The 3.8km-long wall included dozens of towers, not all of them completed, hundreds of loopholes, seventeen battlements and a plethora of decorations in geometric and floral patterns.
Gates of the Old City
The Old City of Jerusalem has 8 main gates as listed bellow.
Jaffa Gate - The main entrance to the Old City is the Jaffa Gate.
Herod's (Flowers) Gate - Also known as the Flowers Gate due to the carvings on it. The entrance into the Muslim quarter through the northern wall.
Damascus Gate - Located on the northern wall, it is the busiest and most magnificent of all Jerusalem's gates.
New Gate - So named because it was constructed relatively recently - in 1889
Zion Gate - Located in the south, this gate was used by the Israel Defense Forces in 1967 to enter and capture the Old City.
Dung Gate - Found in the south wall, this gate is closest in proximity to the Temple Mount.
Lions' Gate - Located in the east wall, the entrance leads to the Via Dolorosa
Triple Gate - Dating back to the pre-Ottoman era
Double Gate - This entrance to the south wall is sealed shut and also dates back to the pre-Ottoman times.
Single Gate - Constructed prior to the Ottoman period along the southern wall, the now sealed gate led to the underground area of the Temple Mount known as Solomon's Stables
Golden Gate -Facing the Mount of Olives on the eastern side of the Old City.
Searches related to Jerusalem gates
12 gates of jerusalem pictures
names of the 12 gates of jerusalem
Explore More
Jerusalem Tours - Guide to Jerusalem, featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, travel tips and more.
Car Rental Jerusalem - Jerusalempedia present a comprehensive directory of Jerusalem car rental companies.