The ancient capital of modern Israel is a very important city for most Jews, Muslims and Christians. The cradle of the three main religions is a real center of the world for a huge number of people.
The historic center of Jerusalem
Colorful Jerusalem, possessing spiritual attraction, is famous for its intricate labyrinth, built by order of King David. Visiting the Old Town, you can get acquainted with historical and religious monuments that immerse you in the atmosphere of past eras. In the Middle Ages, the central part of cities was surrounded by fortified walls to protect residents from enemy attacks. The historical part of Jerusalem is also protected by a 4-kilometer stone wall built of powerful blocks. 8 gates lead here, some of which are walled up long ago.
Gate History
The iconic landmark of Jerusalem, facing the Mediterranean Sea, appeared during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. In 1538, the sultan ordered the construction of a gate, the path through which led to Jaffa (Jaffa) - the main port of ancient Israel. The Jaffa Gate, located on the western wall, was once called the Davidovs, because behind them is the famous Tower of David. They are the main ones, because it was through them that hundreds of thousands of people passed through several centuries, who kept their way to the Jaffa port, which served as the main sea artery.
At night the gates were closed, and those who did not have time to go inside remained outside the city walls until the morning.
The most unusual gates among the rest
The height of the Jaffa Gate in the Old Town is 12 meters. Surprisingly, they are not cut directly and differ from others in that they are erected at right angles to the wall. According to the researchers, this was done in order to slow down the attacking enemy in the event of an attack. Enemy horses would crash against powerful walls, and when soldiers attempted to break through, they could be safely fired upon.
The symbol of the unity of Jerusalem
True, there were no conflicts under the Turks, and the structure remained decorative. However, during the war of independence (1948-1949), the square located at the gates became the site of fierce battles.
According to the ceasefire agreement between Jordan and Israel, it was the Jaffa Gate that became the entrance to nobody's territory. And while the city remained divided into parts, they were blocked. After the war, they were discovered as a symbol of a united Jerusalem.
Two nameless burial
On the inside of the gate, behind the iron bars, there are two graves that attract the attention of tourists. Historians cannot accurately answer the question of who found the last shelter here. However, there is a legend according to which they are architects involved in the reconstruction of the walls. The architects violated the city plan and did not take into account the presence of the sacred mountain Zion, which remained outside of Jerusalem. They were executed by the Sultan, but for great merit they were nevertheless buried in the city limits next to their brainchild.
The only gap in the wall
The Jaffa Gate, which changed owners more than once, was never destroyed. And the only “wound" was the gap that is next to them. Now it is their integral part. The road leading to the Old Town passes through it, and therefore most tourists prefer to use it.
The German emperor, who has far-reaching plans for Jerusalem, wanted to enter it in 1898 on a white horse as a winner. He knew the legend that the last conqueror of the city should enter precisely through the gates of Jaffa. Kaiser Wilhelm II refused to go on foot, which was considered a sign of respect for the city. That is why the Ottomans decided to deceive the king of Prussia and, to satisfy his vanity, made a free passage near the Jaffa Gate, because they were small for the procession. Later, the chancellor suffered a crushing collapse in the political arena, and many associated this event with the fact that he defiled Jerusalem, riding on it in a luxurious carriage, and not entering on foot, kneeled down.
Monument that has retained its original appearance
In the 19th century, the reconstruction of the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem began, which turned into a shopping and business center. Each time, some architectural innovations were introduced, which were later dismantled. So, the attached clock tower and pavilion for tourists were demolished at the beginning of the last century in order to preserve the historical appearance of the Old Town.
Several years ago, the restoration of the visiting card of Jerusalem, which was carried out under the control of the Government of Israel, was completed. A large-scale project was launched to restore the stone walls of the historic center and protect them from destruction due to weather conditions. Stones that could threaten the safety of tourists were replaced, bullet damage was smeared, decorative elements were repaired. The memorial plate, which was in poor condition, was completely restored.
Now the monument has returned its original appearance, and guests can admire even the ancient Arabic inscription in honor of Allah and the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, decorating the gate. So the guests of Jerusalem see his symbol as he was six centuries ago.
The passage in the west of the Old Town is very popular among vacationers, as it has a convenient check-in and leads to the market. Immediately behind the Jaffa Gate, whose photos are in the article, a tourist-oriented street begins. At the junction of the Armenian and Christian quarters there are many souvenir shops, cozy cafes and shops.
Near the gate there is a parking lot for guests of the city, located underground, as well as the famous shopping center Mamila. In addition, there is a tourist center, where everyone can get free directories in Russian, as well as a map of the Old Town.