The Lions' Gate can be visited
Town FortificationJerusalem (ירושלים)
Lions' Gate (שער האריות, Sha'ar Ha'Arayot, باب الأسباط)
The Lion's Gate, also known by its Hebrew and Arabic names Sha'ar Ha'Arayot and Bab al-Asbat, is a prominent part of Jerusalem's historic city fortifications. It is located in the eastern part of the Old City and is one of the eight gates that provide access to this historically significant site.
History+
The construction of the Lion's Gate took place in 1538 under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent. Although Suleiman originally intended the name "Bab el-Ghor" for the gate, it never caught on. Its current name is due to two reliefs on the exterior, depicting leopards, but mistakenly interpreted as lions. These leopards were the heraldic symbol of the Mamluk Sultan Baybars, who reigned from 1260 to 1277. Another common name, "St. Stephen's Gate," derives from the tradition that the martyr Stephen was stoned near this gate. The Crusaders once called it the "Gate of Jehoshaphat." Originally, the gate featured a second arch structure, which was removed under British administration to improve traffic flow. In the Six-Day War, the Lion's Gate played a crucial role when the Israeli army advanced through it into the Old City.
Location+
The Lion's Gate is located in Jerusalem, in the Jerusalem district, in the Jerusalem region of Israel. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 734 meters above sea level.
On site+
Visitors can explore and pass through the Lion's Gate today. It serves as an important access point to the Old City.
Nearby+
- The Golden Gate (City Fortification), approx. 0.2 km away
- The Temple Mount (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.3 km away
- Herod's Gate (City Fortification), approx. 0.4 km away
- The Damascus Gate (City Fortification), approx. 0.6 km away
Take Mobile History with you
You are reading this text for free. Premium adds what matters on the road: descriptions read aloud, sites found through your camera, whole regions taken offline.
- Every description, including the ~17,700 Premium sites
- Audio guide: have descriptions read to you on location
- AR finder: see sites through your camera, with distance and bearing
- Unlimited saved sites
14 days free, then from €2.99 a month. Cancel anytime.
Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LionsGate_Jerusalem.JPG
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 31.7809, 35.2369