The Zion Gate in Jerusalem
When visiting Jerusalem, you should never forget to visit the remarkable gates in the Old city walls like the Zion Gate.
During the leadership of Sultan Suleiman, he ordered the constructions of the seven gates in the Old City Walls of the Holy Land, and one of them is the Zion Gate.
Zion Gate is known to be the western entrance to Jerusalem’s Old city, which is situated on the southwestern corner of the place. It is the direct access going to the famous Mount Zion. Travelers who enter through Zion Gate can pass through to the Armenian Quarter of the Old City as well as to the Jewish Quarter.
According to stories, legends and history, the name of the gate is from the historical Mount Zion located adjacent to the gate outside the city walls. The gate is also sometimes called as Bab El Nebi Daud, in Arabic which translates to the “Gate of David the Prophet”, since there are traditions pertaining that the grave of King David was in the said mountain.
At times, the Gate of Zion is also known as the Gate of the Jews as it serves as the entrance going to the Jewish Quarter. You can also hear it called as the Wounded Gate because of the evident bullet holes left there during the Israeli War of Independence in 1948.
This particular gate is one of nine gates that divide Jerusalem and represent one of two sets of gates that were constructed by Suleiman the Great in 1537 – 38 C.E.
The gate is also known as “Bab Hart el Yahud,” or Gate of the Jews, which might be a reference to the fact that it leads directly to the Jewish Quarter.
The Zion Gate is a “L” shape, meaning one enters through the gateway, makes a 90 degree turn under the stone archway and exits through the gateway. This shape was designed for increased security because if an invader wanted to attack people coming into or out of the city, they would have to make their way around a long stretch of wall with any number of guards.
The gate has a second floor, equipped with machicolations which could be used to pour boiling oil or other objects down on an attacking enemy. Opposite the entrance is a small window in the wall with an arrow slit, which serves as a vantage point for guards to attack enemies unseen.
Back in 10th century, there are references and traces about the Gate of Zion. However, due to unclear evidences, the ancient gate’s true location is still unknown. It’s just most of the evidences are pointing the current site of gate, so up until today, the Zion Gate is believed to be situated there.
The Zion Gate is only one of the seven must-visit entrances in Jerusalem. They hold various stories and features historical events that is worth exploring.
