Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel — The Middle East (West Asia)
Lions' Gate / שער האריות
باب الأسباط
(Hebrew and Arabic text not transcribed)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 31° 46.85′ N, 35° 14.217′ E. Marker is in Jerusalem, Jerusalem District. Marker is on Lion's Gate Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lion's Gate Street 22, Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sabil (a few steps from this marker); Sainte-Anne de Jérusalem (within shouting distance of this marker in Israel); The White Fathers / Les Peres Blancs (within shouting distance of this marker in Israel); Gethsemane (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Absalom's Tomb (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Jehoshaphat's Cave (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Western Wall (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jerusalem.
Also see . . . Lions’ Gate (Wikipedia).
History: The start of the traditional Christian observance of the last walk of Jesus from prison to crucifixion, the Via Dolorosa, begins at the Lions' Gate, called St Stephen's Gate by Christians. Carved into the wall above the gate are four lions, two on the left and two on the right. Suleiman the Magnificent had the carvings made to celebrate the Ottoman defeat of the Mamluks in 1517. Legend has it that Suleiman's predecessor Selim I dreamed of lions that were going to eat him because of his plans to level the city. He was spared only after promising to protect the city by building a wall around it. This led to the lion becoming the heraldic symbol of Jerusalem.(Submitted on April 20, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on April 20, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.