Historical records indicate that the gate was originally built by Herod Agrippa I in 41CE and was then rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian during his reign. The site is one of the most important for Jewish pilgrims, and each year tens of thousands gather there to recite prayers and place written supplications between gaps in its walls. Today, the gate is constantly patrolled by Israeli police, who are sometimes seen on horseback or standing behind metal barriers. Jewish worshippers also use the gate, as it leads to the Western Wall, as well as a nearby light rail station connecting the area to the rest of Jerusalem.įor Jews, the Western Wall is believed to be a remnant of the Second Temple, which was destroyed during the Roman era. Historically, the name Bab al-Nasr (Gate of Victory) has also been used for the structure. Uniquely among the gates surrounding the Old City, Bab al-Amoud has had the same name since around the 10th century. The gate gets its Arabic name Bab al-Amoud from the pillar - featuring a statue of Emperor Hadrian - that stood at the centre of its courtyard during the Roman-Byzantine era.Ī map of the Jerusalem's Old City shows the different gates (MEE)Ĭrusaders referred to the gate as St Stephen’s Gate due to its location close to the site where they believed St Stephen was martyred. Walking through the gate takes you into the heart of the historic city a maze of souvenir shops, eateries, and cafes. Its location in East Jerusalem, officially makes it a Palestinian site that is occupied militarily by Israel. The Damascus Gate is located on the northern side of the Old City, towards the middle of the wall that historically surrounded it. Here Middle East Eye answers some key questions about the landmark: Where is it located and what do its names symbolise?
#Deathspank demon gate to the east full#
On the narrow streets that spread like capillaries from the gate, Palestinian men sip on coffee on lazy evenings, vendors hawk their goods from carts, and crowds gather to sing traditional songs or protest depending on the political situation at the time.īrimming with tourists visiting historic Jerusalem and its myriad religious sites, the area is also full of Palestinians and Muslim pilgrims visiting one of their most important national and spiritual symbols the al-Aqsa mosque.Īs many Jewish settler groups claim ownership of the mosque as the promised site of a future temple, surrounding areas, such as the Damascus Gate, have become sites for protest and occasionally violence, as Israeli troops put down protests by Palestinians. Mostly used by Palestinians to enter the Old City, the area is one of the main focal points of Palestinian life in Jerusalem.