New Gate
Building Historic city gate forming part of Jerusalem's walls
One of the gates in Jerusalem’s Old City, New Gate provides direct access to the Christian Quarter and the Via Dolorosa. Visitors pass through it en route to holy sites, markets and nearby Old City viewpoints.
The New Gate is an entrance in the northwestern section of the Old City walls of Jerusalem, providing access between the Old City and the modern districts to the north. It was constructed in the late 19th century as a new opening through the historic walls.
The gate allows direct pedestrian access into the Christian Quarter and is used by both residents and visitors moving between the Old City and the area outside the walls. It is one of several gates in the city walls and sits at street level on the modern side.
Ottoman authorities authorized and completed the gate as part of late 19th century modifications to improve access to the Old City; it is therefore much newer than the medieval gates. Its construction reflected changing urban patterns as the city expanded beyond the walls.
The gate sits on the northwestern face of Jerusalem’s Old City walls, close to the Tower of David and outside neighborhoods that developed in the 19th century. It provides a direct walking route into central parts of the Old City.
- Access point: Located on the northwestern section of the Old City walls, it provides one of the most direct pedestrian links between the Old City and the newer neighborhoods to the north.
- Relative age: Built as a later addition to the medieval walls, it is smaller and more recent than most other Old City gates and is often used for tourist access to the Christian Quarter.
How to Get to New Gate #
The New Gate (Sha’ar HaChadash) sits on the northwestern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City off Jaffa Road. The Jerusalem Light Rail runs along Jaffa Road/King George Street; from the light-rail stops on Jaffa Road it is roughly a 10-15 minute walk into the Old City to reach the New Gate. Numerous city buses that run along Jaffa Road and nearby streets also stop within a short walking distance of the gate.
Tips for Visiting New Gate #
- Use the New Gate when approaching the Old City from the northwest (modern Jerusalem neighborhoods) - it provides a direct, short route into the Christian Quarter.
- The New Gate is often less crowded than Jaffa or Damascus Gate, so it's a good option for entering the Old City outside peak pilgrimage hours.
- Remember the gate was a late 19th‑century opening into the walls and gives quick pedestrian access to the main churches of the Christian Quarter, so it's useful when your aims are concentrated there.
Best Time to Visit New Gate #
Visit in spring or autumn for the most comfortable weather and fewer crowds in Jerusalem's Old City.
Weather & Climate near New Gate #
New Gate's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).