AJE - Jerusalem 3000 - The Damascus Gate

Sha'ar Shechem

The Damascus Gate

Other Names:

Nablus Gate;
Damascus Gate;
Bab al'Amoud -The Gate of the Pillar;
St. Stephen's Gate

Origin of Names:

In the Roman period a pillar, topped with a statue of Hadrian, was erected near Sha'ar Shechem.
It was used as the spot from which the Romans measured the distances from Jerusalem to the towns and cities in the country.

Direction of Gate:
The gate is located on the northern side of the Old City wall and faces north in the direction of Shechem and Damascus in Syria.

Date:
It was completed in 1537 CE.

Distinctive Features:
The elaborate crenellations on the top of the wall.

Design:
Sha'ar Shechem was built as a double L. It stands on the lowest geographical point in the Old City on the remains of a late Roman gate that led to the Cardo.

Sha'ar Shechem is the main entrance to the Muslim Quarter and serves as the Arab business centre in the Old City. Today it is one of the main entrances to the shuk - a roofed market where a great variety of exotic goods are sold on the open stalls. In the past it served as a khan - an inn for merchants who came to trade. In Jewish sources the area was referred to as chanuyot - shops where weavers used to work.

In 1937 the remains of an ancient gate were discovered under this gate . This was the gate to the Roman city of Aelia Capitolina, which Emperor Hadrian built (circa 132 CE) on the ruins of Jerusalem in an attempt to eradicate the city.

Sha'ar Shechem is flanked by two towers and there is a small amphitheatre in front of the gate.