Description
Zion Gate is located at the southern end of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is one of the gates set by the Ottomans when they re-erected the City’s walls, in the early 16th Century. The gate has a typical L-Shape, designed to slow down oncoming attackers. Above the gate a projecting balcony (Mashikuli) enabled dropping boiling oil, snakes, on excrement on potential invaders. Up to the 19th century the gate was closed every night, by heavy metal doors. In addition to its protective design, the gate was also decorated with various stone ornamentations. The gate also bears an Arab inscription glorifying Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Sultan who ordered and sponsored the re-fortification of Jerusalem. In May 1948 Palmach forces managed to reach the Jewish quarter by blowing up part of the wall next to the gate. Unfortunately, later they retreated, and the Jewish Quarter was evacuated. The Jordanian occupied the Jewish Quarter and the old City until 1967. To this day the front of the gate is battered by bullet holes from these battles. A white stone plaque in the gate records the battles here in 1948, and the reclaiming of the gate by during the Six-Day War, in 1967. Here you can stand directly on top of the complex and enjoy an enchanting view of East Jerusalem.
