Jerusalem Walls - Old City Walls - Jerusalem Travel Information

Photos from Jerusalem Walls

No Tour in Israel is complete without a visit to Jerusalem's Walls. The walls you can see today around Jerusalem's old city were built by the Turkish sultan Suleiman the "Magnificent" during the years 1536-1541. The length of the wall is around 3.8 km.

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Gate of Zion

Gate of Zion is located on the South-Western site of Jerusalem's Walls. The gate connects the Jewish Quarter and the Armenian Quarter with Mount Zion, and that is the reason for its name.

During the late middle ages, the Jews of the city held the keys to the gate, and that is what it is sometimes called the "Jewish Quarter Gate". The Muslims call this gate "Bab Daud a-Nabi", which translates to the gate of David the prophet, named after King David, who's tomb is located on Mount Zion.

During the War of Independence, the gate was the scene of some hard battles, during which soldiers of the IDF tried to break the siege around the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

In an attempt to help the besieged Jewish Quarter, an attack was carried out on the Jaffa Gate during the 17th of May 1948, while at the same time a diversion was done on Mount Zion. The attack on the Jaffa Gate failed miserably, but surprisingly, the diversion was successful beyond expectations, and the people of the Palmach took hold of Mount Zion. In light of the success, soldiers of the "Harel" brigade broke the siege to the Jewish Quarter on the 19th of May 1948, and brought reinforcement and equipment. After the breakin, the soldiers abandoned Mount Zion, which was then re-taken by the soldiers of the Jordanian Legion. The Jewish Quarter fell shortly after.

These fierce battles are the reason for the many bullet holes marking on the face of the gate.

The Golden Gate - Gate of Mercy

The Golden Gate is located on the eastern side of Jerusalem's Wall. The Gate's structure is from the seventh century, which means it predates the Turkish wall which we know today. Remains of an even older gate dating to the time of the Second Temple were found.

The gate divided into two gates, both blocked today with bricks. The northern gate is called the northern gate is called the 'Gate of Grace' and the southern gate is called the 'Gate of Mercy'.

The Christian tradition marks The Golden Gate as the gate through which Christ entered Jerusalem, and that is why the gate is also names the 'Golden Gate'. That tradition also tells that this gate is where the byzantine emperor Heracles entered Jerusalem after freeing it from the Persians during the 7th century (a short while before the city was taken by Muslims).

The Jewish tradition tells that The Golden Gate is the gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem, bringing the Jewish nation to redemption. The emperor Suleiman, who heard this tradition, decided to prevent the arrival of the Messiah by blocking the gate with bricks, and by building a Muslim cemetery in front of the gate (the Messiahs is a Cohen, so he can not enter a cemetery...).

Today the gate's structure houses a Muslim prayer and study hall. Entrance to the gate is from the Temple Mount only.

David's Tower - The CItadel

Jerusalem's Citadel, also known as David's tower, is located close to the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem's Walls. It houses the museum for the history of Jerusalem in an old fortress which was thoroughly reconstructed. The tower became a symbol of Jerusalem over the years.

Remains from most of Jerusalem's history may be seen in the Citadel, but most of the parts that can be seen today are from the middle ages, with later additions. The earliest remains in the area are from The Hasmonean kings.