The Golden Gate

Also known as Sha'ar Harachamim (Gate of Mercy), Beautiful Gate and Eternal Gate. It is the oldest of the current gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls. According to Jewish tradition, the Divine Presence used to appear through this gate, and will appear again when the Messiah comes and a new gate replaces the present one. Jews used to pray for mercy at the former gate at this location and hence it was known as the Gate of Mercy. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I sealed off the Golden Gate in 1541 to prevent the Messiah's entrance. The Muslims also built a cemetery in front of the gate (still visible), in the belief that the precursor to the Messiah, Elijah, would not be able to pass through, since he is a Kohen (Levite). In Christian traditions, the gate was the scene of a meeting between the parents of Virgin Mary. In Arabic, it is known as the Gate of Eternal Life. Remains of a much older gate dating to the times of the Second Jewish Temple were found from here. The present one was probably built in the 520s CE or in the later part of the 7th century by Byzantine artisans employed by the Umayyad Khalifs.