The Jaffa Gate

Known Sha'ar Yafo (Heb), Bab el-Khalil (Arab), Hebron Gate or David's Gate. It is the main entrance to the Old City, built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538. The Jaffa Gate gets its name because the road leading from it goes to the port city of Jaffa (Joppa). Legend has it that every conqueror of Jerusalem will enter through the Jaffa Gate. In 1917, British general Edmund Allenby entered the Old City through the Jaffa Gate. Today, it is heavily used by pedestrians and vehicles, and the plaza in front of the gate has been expanded to a major market centre. The name in Arabic, Bab el-Halil or Hebron Gate, means "The Beloved," and refers to Abraham, the beloved of God who is buried in Hebron (Isa. 41:8). The Christmas procession to Bethlehem always begins here. Today's Jaffa Gate seems to have taken the place of the ancient Valley Gate. Between Jaffa and Zion Gates are a number of walls from the time of Herod the Great and before exposed on the surface.