New Gate, Jerusalem

The New Gate stands as a unique addition to Jerusalem's Old City wall, diverging from the original 16th-century design. Erected in 1889 during the twilight of the Ottoman Empire, it holds historical significance distinct from the Second Temple's New Gate referenced in the Book of Jeremiah. Positioned at 790 meters (2,590 ft) above sea level, it represents the highest point along the Old City wall, serving as the swiftest pedestrian route between West Jerusalem and various quarters of the Old City.

Also referred to as 鈥淏ab es Sultan Abd ul Hamid鈥�, the gate owes its existence to the Ottoman Sultan who acquiesced to the French Consul's plea for access to the Old City from the Notre Dame Hospice, completed in 1886. Additionally, it aimed to facilitate direct passage for Russian pilgrims residing at the Russian Compound to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter.

Throughout the 20th century, the New Gate endured multiple assaults from various parties. In 1929, an unprovoked Arab attack resulted in the loss of several Jewish lives, while in 1945, an Israeli paramilitary group attempted to demolish a section of the adjacent wall (though their efforts were thwarted by a malfunction in the explosive device). During the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, a Jewish demolition charge intended for the gate was triggered by a stray artillery shell, igniting the Arab wooden barricade nearby. Subsequently, the gate was sealed off by the Jordanian occupation administration until its reopening in 1967 by the Israeli Army following the Six-Day War.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Jerusalem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: New Gate
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Jerusalem, Israel

Create Your Own Walk in Jerusalem

Creating your own self-guided walk in Jerusalem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Armenian Quarter Walking Tour

Smaller and quieter than the Old City's other three quarters, the Armenian quarter contains a series of winding cobblestoned streets and alleyways teeming with people, shops, coffee stands, ceramic workshops and hookah bars. A city in miniature with distinct language, alphabet and culture, it has been in place since the 4th century, when Armenia adopted Christianity as a national religion.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Christian Quarter Walking Tour

One of the epicenters of worldwide Christianity, the Christian Quarter is the 2nd-largest of Jerusalem鈥檚 four ancient quarters. A fascinating place to stroll through, it covers the Old City鈥檚 northwestern part, just beyond Jaffa Gate 鈥� the traditional pilgrim鈥檚 entrance to Jerusalem and a prime destination for most visitors.

With its tangle of broad streets and winding, narrow alleys,... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Jerusalem Old City Walking Tour

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the Old City of Jerusalem is best explored on foot, since its narrow streets and alleys make it almost an entirely vehicle-free zone. In addition to hosting four ethnic quarters, 鈥� Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian 鈥� it is packed with major historical and religious sites, which all make a trip here unique, unforgettable and not to be missed.

The... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles

Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Entirely rebuilt in the 1980s after having been largely destroyed during the 1948 War, the Jewish Quarter is quite distinct from the rest of the Old City. Good signposting, spacious passageways, art galleries and a somewhat less buzzing atmosphere make the area a relaxing place to spend some time.

With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

Following Steps of Jesus Walking Tour

Considered for centuries to be the center of the universe, Jerusalem is where the most famous figure in history, Jesus of Nazareth, fulfilled his divine mission by carrying a cross from the place of Pontius Pilate鈥檚 sentencing to Golgotha where he was crucified. This self-guided tour will retrace the steps of Jesus, allowing you to see what many consider some of the holiest places on our planet.... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Mount of Olives Walking Tour

Aside from affording great views over the Old City, the Mount of Olives is home to half a dozen major sites of the Christian faith along with the oldest Jewish burial ground in the world. Considered a holy spot by many, it is associated with numerous events in Jesus鈥� life including ascending to Heaven and teaching his disciples the Lord鈥檚 Prayer.

The following self-guided walking tour will... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

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