Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, Israel
For centuries, the Damascus Gate has stood as the portal to the Old City of Jerusalem, opening onto a packed bazaar of souvenir shops, teahouses and falafel joints
The holiest places for Jews, Christians and Muslims and its considered to be the most beautiful gate of all.
The gate seen today was built by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537 on top of an earlier entry into the walled city that the Romans erected in the emperor Hadrian’s time. The Jews call it Sha’ar Schechem, or Nablus Gate. Arabs call it Bab al-Amud, Gate of the Column, for the obelisk left by the Romans.
Its English name reflects the fact that it faces north, toward Damascus. It may seem hard to believe amid today’s wars and divisions, but it was once possible to hop into a taxi in Jerusalem and get driven to the Syrian capital.
Visit Israel. Epic Israel Adventure route © Monika & Simon Newbound. All rights reserved 2017
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