Herod's Gate Building

Address: Herod’s Gate (Bab az-Zahra) vicinity, Jerusalem Old City, West Bank / East Jerusalem

Herod’s Gate is one of the gates in the northern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City, formed when the city’s fortifications were rebuilt under the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. It serves as a pedestrian entrance linking the Old City interior to neighbourhoods immediately outside the walls.

The gate’s modern European name derives from later Christian naming conventions; the gate itself dates to the Ottoman wall reconstruction rather than to the Herodian period. It provides a relatively small, local entrance compared with the larger and busier Damascus Gate to the west.

The gate sits on the northern face of the Old City walls and gives onto streets that lead into the Muslim Quarter and adjacent Christian Quarter. It is within walking distance of central Jerusalem landmarks and is commonly used by residents and visitors moving between the Old City and northern neighbourhoods.

• Quiet access point: The gate is less busy than some other Old City entrances and provides direct pedestrian access into the northern Muslim and Christian quarters.

Herod’s Gate is on the northern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, a short walk from the Damascus Gate and from the Muslim Quarter. From central Jerusalem, walk or take light rail to the Damascus Gate area and proceed east along the wall; signs in the Old City point to the gate.

• If visiting the gate area, be mindful of the political sensitivities and security presence.
• Early morning is best for photography of the gate and the stonework before the tourist buses arrive.
• Wear modest clothing when exploring nearby Old City areas and be respectful of local worship and residential life.