The Gates of Jerusalem

The Eastern (or Golden) Gate, the Gate of Nikanor and the Golden Doors/Gate into the Temple of Jerusalem can be seen in the model of Ancient Jerusalem at the Israel Museum as well as the Sheep Gate and the Gates at the Southern Steps of the Temple. Today, you can walk where Jesus walked on the Southern Steps and see the Triple Gates and the Double Gates (partially blocked). Around the left corner are the remains of Robinson’s Arch. There are four quarters in the Old City of Jerusalem: the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, and the Christian Quarter. The entrance gates to these four quarters are: the Lions’ Gate, Golden (Eastern) Gate, Dung Gate, Zion Gate, Jaffa Gate, New Gate, Damascus Gate, and Herod’s Gate. The newest gate, built in 1889, is the New Gate. The Dung Gate was probably named for the residue taken from the Temple to be burned in the Hinnom Valley (Gehenna). The Dung Gate is close to the Western Wall and was enlarged as a main passage for vehicles. We entered the Dung Gate on our bus and do not have a picture of it or of the New Gate (pictures of both gates can be found online). (There is also an interesting story of the Egyptian Greek, Nikanor, who chose to become a Jew and had elaborate copper and bronze doors made for the Temple to be brought to Israel by ship, and being forced to have one door thrown off the ship during a tumultuous storm, only to have it found attached and floating behind the ship upon arrival in Israel.) The Golden Gate is also referred to as the Mercy Gate as well as the Eastern Gate.