Golden Gate (Jerusalem)

The Golden Gate (Hebrew: Sha'ar שער הרחמים haRachamim "Gate of Mercy ", Arabic: Bab al - Dhahabi ) is one of eight gates in Jerusalem's Old City. The gate is located in the eastern part of the city wall, south of the Lions Gate. It is the only gate in the city wall, which leads directly to the Temple Mount. The richly ornamented Archivolte goes back to the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, on the occasion of the return of the Holy Cross (630 ) in the retaking of the Sassanid city of the double portal was designed as a triumphal arch.

Perhaps here was originally located Herodian gate, when the Temple in Jerusalem was still standing by in the days, the Day of Atonement the scapegoat was driven, which symbolically carried the sins of the people.

In the Christian tradition Jesus of Nazareth entered as " Messiah " through the gate of Jerusalem. At the end of the Jewish War, the city was destroyed 70 AD. In the Crusader period the Golden Gate was opened only twice a year: for a solemn procession on Palm Sunday and on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. 1537-1541 was rebuilt under the Turkish ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. Since this case was based on the foundations of the ancient city wall, piece by piece were also built the city gates again. The Golden Gate was walled up right after the reconstruction at the behest of Süleyman and sealed.

The sealing of the door is often interpreted to mean that Süleyman by the arrival of the Jewish Messiah ( Mashiach Hebrew ) wanted to avoid the " end of days " is due to move to the city according to Jewish belief on here. More likely, however, that the Ottomans closed it after the end of the Crusader period to deny "infidels" access to the Temple Mount. A cemetery is on the wall - as is often assumed - quench Jewish priests. Süleyman and his contemporaries had hoped to prevent the coming of the " Messiah " so.

According to Jewish tradition, the name Sha'ar harachamim "Gate of Mercy " attributed to the fact that the Shechinah ( Divine Presence ) had risen through the gate of the Temple Mount. Ezekiel 44, 1-3 is partially interpreted to mean that the glory of God came through the eastern gate of the temple and the gate remains closed now until the arrival of the Messiah.

Gallery

Golden Gate 1860

Golden Gate in 1900

Golden Gate, 2009