Lions Gate

This gate is near the beginning of the Via Dolorosa. It is named for the sculpted lions on either side of the gate. It was built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538. According to legend, Suleiman had a dream one night that lions were tearing him apart. When he woke up, he took the dream as a warning from God that he should take better care of the holy city Jerusalem, so Suleiman began building the walls. The lions on the gate were a reminder of that dream.

Christians call the gate St. Stephens Gate, because legend says Stephen was dragged outside the city through this gate before he was stoned to death.

The Arabs call the gate Miriam’s Gate (or Mary’s Gate) because Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born at a house just inside the gate, according to legend.

During the Six Day War, Israeli paratroopers who were taking the city from the Jordanians entered Jerusalem through the Lions Gate.

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