- Zion Gate
The Zion Gate ( _he. שער ציון, "Shaar Zion") is one of eight gates built into the walls of the Old City of
Jerusalem . It was built forSuleiman the Magnificent in1540 .Located in the south of the Old City, facing
Mount Zion andHebron , the Zion Gate leads into the Armenian andJewish Quarter s. Zion Gate is also known as "David's Gate" ( _ar. Bab el-Daoud; Hebrew: "Shaar David"), because the tomb of King David is believed to be on Mt. Zion.In
1948 , during the Israeli War of Independence, thePalmach unsuccessfully battled for control of the Jewish Quarter at the entrance of the Zion gate. This left the stones surrounding the gate pockmarked by weapons fire and bullet holes which are still visible today.The Star of David on the pavement below the gate was designed by architect Shlomo Aronson.
Both pedestrians and vehicles use the gate, although maneuvering is difficult due to the L-shaped passageway.
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