Lions' Gate — Attraction in Jerusalem

The Lions’ gate is located in the eastern wall of Jerusalem and near the northern wall of the Temple Mount, in fact it is the only open gate in the eastern wall of the Old City. The gate was built during 1538/9 by Sultan Suleiman the magnificent, who built the gate and the wall. The gate served the Jews as the main exit towards Mount of Olives and the Jewish cemetery there. The gate serves as the main entrance to the Old City for Muslims seeking to reach the Temple Mount complex, and for Christian pilgrims on their way to Via Dolorosa. There are many names to Lion’s gate, which were used mainly in the past: In Arabic it is called “Bab al-Asbat” – the gate of the tribes – The same name they call an entrance gate near the Temple Mount. Christians call the gate after the name of Stephen the First Martyr who was stoned to death near the Damascus Gate. Another name is the gate of Lady Miriam and in Arabic “Bab Sitna Miriam”, Miriam, Jesus’ mother. The last name I will mention is the Gate of Jehoshaphat – according to the prophecy of Joel, all the evildoers to his people, will be judged by God at the end of time in the Valley of Jehoshaphat which is identified in the channel of the Kidron Valley at the foot of the gate. In the middle of the 19th century, the Jews began to call the gate the Lions’ Gate, due to the two pairs of lions located on both sides of the gate opening. The lions symbolize the Mamluk ruler Baibars, who ruled the Land of Israel from 1260. The legend associates the name of the gate with threatening lions that appeared in Sultan Suleiman’s dreams so that they were about to devour him for not properly defending Jerusalem as a holy and important city. As can been seen, the Lions’ Gate has a direct passthrough entrance, yet originally its entrance had a 90-degree turn like many of the old city gates. In this case the turn was to the left. This was made in order to make it harder and slow down attackers trying to enter through the gate. Another mean for slowing down attackers are the slits as you can see above the gate, and they are designed to enable pouring boiling oil on the enemy passing...

The Porte des Lions (Lion’s Gate) is one of the historic entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel.

Located on the eastern wall, providing access to the Muslim Quarter and leading toward the Temple Mount.

Built in the 16th century under Ottoman rule, the gate is named for the carved lion motifs on its façade, which symbolize strength and vigilance. It is steeped in history, associated with both biblical events and more recent historical moments, including its role during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

For photographers, the Lion’s Gate offers both architectural and street photography opportunities. Its carved stone lions and Ottoman-era stonework provide rich textural details, while the surrounding narrow streets and bustling activity of the quarter create dynamic, authentic urban compositions. Early morning or late afternoon light casts soft shadows that highlight the reliefs and carvings. Framing the gate with the street leading inward gives a sense of depth and context, while wide-angle shots capture the gate’s scale against the city walls.

The gate is not only visually striking but also culturally significant, serving as a living access point to one of the most historic and spiritually resonant parts of Jerusalem, Israel.

Photographs here can combine architectural beauty with the vibrancy of everyday life, capturing the layers of history, culture, and religion that define the Old City.

Overall, the Porte des Lions is a compelling subject for photographers, offering a mix of historical architecture, symbolic detail, and lively...

I went in to Israel in April 2017 with Hillsong worship tour. It was amazing. The Israeli 6 day war happened and the street that leads to the lions gate was the beginning of the victory of this magnificent take back of the city of Jerusalem. The living God of Israel and the Israeli soldiers took back the city that the Muslims had stolen from them. I recommend to all the people of the world to visit The State of Israel and its capital Jerusalem at least once in your life time. Once you step your foot on holy ground your eyes will be opened up to see the truth of the Bible coming alive before your eyes, history of Israel success, the kindness and generosity of the Israeli people, and the peace and joy that is instilled into the hearts of these wonderful people whom the world wants to defeat for no cause. I learned a wealth of information about the country of Israel and its history. My husband and I travel 11 days all through the country of Israel and not once did we feel our lives threatened nor hostility. We were welcomed with open arms and embraced with joy. It's hard to write into words our experience it was overwhelming and we have a new love for God, the country of Israel and the Israeli people . We are returning in 2019 with all our family and friends. What ever the financial cost is to visit ...its worth every dollar. All the Israeli speak perfect English and multiple languages proficiently. Do not listen to the media! ...