Jaffa Gate — Attraction in Jerusalem

Jerusalem Jaffa Gate Jaffa Gate stands as one of the main entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City, offering a grand welcome into its ancient walls and vibrant quarters. Located on the western side, this iconic gate connects the modern city with its historic heart and serves as a popular starting point for exploring the wonders within. Built in the 16th century during the Ottoman era, Jaffa Gate has witnessed centuries of change, from imperial processions to contemporary tourism. Its name comes from the road that once led from here to the port city of Jaffa, the ancient gateway to the Mediterranean. Today, it opens directly into the Christian and Armenian Quarters and is just a short walk from the Jewish Quarter. The gate is flanked by the Tower of David and the Citadel Museum, where ancient fortifications and immersive exhibits tell the story of Jerusalem’s past. Street musicians, bustling vendors, and the chatter of visitors from all over the world create a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Whether arriving for the first time or returning again, passing through Jaffa Gate feels like stepping into a living story—one where sacred traditions, layered history, and diverse cultures all converge beneath Jerusalem’s...

Jaffa Gate (Hebrew: שער יפו, romanized: Sha'ar Yafo; Arabic: باب الخليل, romanized: Bāb al-Khalīl, "Hebron Gate") is one of the seven main open gates of the Old City of Jerusalem. The name Jaffa Gate is currently used for both the historical Ottoman gate from 1538, and for the wide gap in the city wall adjacent to it to the south. The old gate has the layout of a medieval gate tower with an L-shaped entryway, which was secured at both ends (north and east) with heavy doors. The breach in the wall was created in 1898 by the Ottoman authorities in order to allow German emperor Wilhelm II to enter the city triumphally. The breach and the ramp leading to it now allow cars to access the Old City from the west. The L-shape of the historical gateway was a classical defensive measure designed to slow oncoming attackers, with its outer gate oriented in the direction of Jaffa Road, from which travellers including pilgrims arrived at the end of their journey from the...

Historic Jerusalem Old City Gate, dating to the 16th century. One of the proncipal entrances to the Old City, particularly when approaching from the west, it is named for the ancient port city of Jaffa, to which the road heading out of this gate leads. The area inside the Gate has souvenir shops, currency exchanges, hotels, one of the entrances to the Arab Souk, and the Tower of David. Entrance to the Tower of David museum is outside the Gate, just to the south, while the museum exit is within the Gate. There is an entrance to the Old City Ramparts Walk just inside the Gate. The plaza inside the Gate separates the Christian Quarter to the north, from the Armenian Quarter to the south. A police station sits south of the Gate, just beyond the Tower of...