She’arim: A Tale of Four-and-a-Half Gates - Jerusalem’s Old City Walls and Gates
Duration
3.5 to 5 hours
Meeting Point
Kikar Tzahal, by the old and new City Hall buildings (near the Shivtei Yisrael light rail station)
Description
We will explore four (“-and-a-half”) of the usable gates of the Old City walls. Why were the gates built where they are? What’s special about each of the gates in ancient and/or modern history? What can we learn about the geography, neighborhoods and current sociology in the vicinity of each gate? These and other questions will be addressed as we begin with the New Gate and walk through the Christian Quarter to the Jaffa Gate. (We will discuss the different representations of the Christian Church organizations we pass, but we will not be going inside churches.) After a short break near the Jaffa Gate we will ascend the Ramparts Walk and stroll on the walls of the Old City, descending at the Zion Gate. We will continue down the hill, stopping briefly at the Tanner’s Gate (is that a new one for you?) and conclude at the Dung Gate. TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 to 5 hours SUGGESTED MEETING POINT: Kikar Tzahal, by the old and new City Hall buildings (near the Shivtei Yisrael light rail station) TENTATIVE ENDING POINT: Sha’ar Ashpot (the Dung Gate) PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250) NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Entrance fees for the Ramparts Walk (as of this writing: ₪20 per adult; ₪10 per child 5 to 18 years old, student (with ID), or senior citizen)
