Damascus Gate

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The Damascus Gate (also known as Shechem Gate or Nablus Gate; Bab-al-Amud, Gate of Columns) is an important gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was built in 1542 by the late Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent.

The gate has two towers each equipped with machicolations. It is located at the start of the Arab bazaar and marketplace. In contrast to the Jaffa Gate, where the stairs rise towards the gate, in the Damascus Gate, the stairs descend towards the gate. In 1972, right-wing activist Rabbi Meir Kahane proposed that mezuzot be attached to the gate, to secure the Jewish claim to the gate. After repeated protests from the Arab residents, the Israeli government refused to consider Kahane's proposal. Today, only three of the Old City's gates have mezuzot attached.

While the proper English name of the gate is 'Damascus Gate', in Hebrew it is called Sha`ar Shechem, meaning 'Shechem [Nablus] Gate'. Israeli media therefore frequently refer to the gate as 'Shechem [Nablus] Gate' in English-language publications as well. [1]

[edit] External links

• Holy Land Photos:"Damascus Gate"