The Golden Gate
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This article is about the gate in Jerusalem. For other uses see Golden Gate (disambiguation)
The Golden Gate is the oldest of the current gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls. It was probably built in the 520s CE, as part of Justinian's building program in Jerusalem, on top of the ruins of an earlier gate in the wall. An alternate theory holds that it was built in the later part of the 7th century by Byzantine artisans employed by the Umayyad khalifs.
In Christian literature, the gate is referred as the Golden Gate, but in Arabic it is known as the Gate of Eternal Life. Jews used to pray for mercy at the gate, hence the name Sha'ar Harachamim, the Gate of Mercy.
The gate is located in the middle of the eastern side of the Temple Mount. The portal in this position was believed to have been used for ritual purposes in biblical times.
In Jewish tradition this is the gate through which Messiah will enter Jerusalem. It was sealed off in 1541 by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, allegedly to prevent the Messiah's entrance. The Muslims also built a cemetery in front of the gate, allegedly in the belief that the Messiah would not be able to pass through without risk of impurifying himself.
The Golden Gate is one of the few sealed gates in the Jerusalem city walls, along with the Huldah Gates, and a small Biblical and Crusader-era postern located several stories above ground on the southern side of the eastern wall.
See also: Gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls, City gate
External links and references
- Jerusalem Old City Walls (http://www.trekker.co.il/english/jerusalem-walls.htm)- Photos and additional information.
- http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=222
- http://www.amyisrael.co.il/brijnet/aje/j3000/gates/golden.htmde:Goldenes Tor (Jerusalem)