18 Nov 2022
The Old City of Jerusalem is surrounded by a high wall. It's been in existence at least since the time of the Crusader Kingdom (1099-1291). To gain entry to the Old City, one must use a gate, any gate. There are eight gates. Some other gates have been walled up. Some are more popular than others. The gates are the Jaffa Gate; Zion Gate; Dung Gate; New Gate; Golden Gate; Herod's Gate; Lion's Gate; and the Damascus Gate. Some are known by other names -- Herod's Gate is also known as the Flowers Gate by Jews and Muslims. Flowers Gate was built on the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Some gates, for example Dung Gate, have been expanded over the years. Dung Gate, in days gone by, was used to haul trash out of the Old City. Now it gives access to the Western Wall Plaza.