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Israel

Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate)

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Places to see

Israel

Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate)

Highlight • Monument

Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate)

Recommended by 58 hikers out of 59

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: גן לאומי סביב חומות ירושלים העתיקה

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Location: Israel

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Best Hikes to Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate)

4.9

(17)

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1. Jaffa Gate – Zion Gate loop from ירושלים - יצחק נבון

16.1km

04:36

360m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(6)

hikers

2. Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Jaffa Gate loop from Jerusalem

7.81km

02:17

210m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(2)

hikers

3. Zion Gate – Tomb of the Virgin Mary loop from Yemin Moshe

5.98km

01:47

190m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Matto

December 11, 2020

In the northeast of the old city of Jerusalem, a driveway leads through the Lion Gate into the Arab quarter. According to a Muslim legend, its name goes back to Suleiman. It was prophesied that if he did not surround Jerusalem with a wall, he would be torn apart by lions.

Translated by Google •

Jörg

May 18, 2017

Through the Löwentor (Hebrew name) or Stephanstor leaves the old town in the direction of garden Gethsemane and Mount of Olives. On the outside, a lion relief can be seen to the left and right of the gate.

Translated by Google •

Flower 🌻

February 18, 2022

The Lion’s Gate is located near Mount of Olives and the Via Dolorosa. This is one of the seven gates that were created in the wall of the old city, and the only one that is open towards the east. The gate was built as part of the wall of the old city during the 16th century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. On both sides of the gate there are lion embossments. According to the legend, they were integrated into this structure following the dream of Sultan Suleiman, in which two lions were about to devour him, as a punishment for the situation of the holy city of Jerusalem, which was not protected at the time.

The sultan interpreted the dream as a sign from above, and ordered to surround the city with a wall. In fact, the embossments resemble cheetahs more than lions. Some say that they were taken from a more ancient building of the Mameluke ruler Baibars, whose symbol was a Cheetah.

Above the lion embossments there are additional decorations: flowers and arches are embossed between the embrasures, and above them an inscription that commemorates the construction of the city’s wall by Suleiman the Magnificent. On the upper part of the gate a terrace stands out, known as a “Mashikoli”. From this small terrace one can observe the outline of the wall, and possibly spill hot oil on intruders and unwanted guests. In the past it was a turn- gate, like Jaffa gate and others, which was meant to delay forces attempting to intrude into the city, but over the years it became a straight gate that enables the entrance of vehicles.

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Elevation 740 m

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Location: Israel

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Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate)

1. Jaffa Gate – Zion Gate loop from ירושלים - יצחק נבון

2. Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Jaffa Gate loop from Jerusalem

3. Zion Gate – Tomb of the Virgin Mary loop from Yemin Moshe

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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