MIT Libraries homeDome

Detail, left corner tower with machicolation; Damascus Gate is the main entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. It is located in the wall on the city's northwest side where the highway leads out to Nablus, and from there, in times past, to the capital of Syria, Damascus; as such, its modern English name is Damascus Gate. Süleyman I rebuilt the walls (1537-1541) and many of the gates. Underneath, remains of a gate dating to the time of the Roman rule of Hadrian in the 2nd century CE have been discovered and excavated. The Roman lintel is still visible with the inscription Aelia Capitolina. Damascus Gate is flanked by two towers, each equipped with machicolations. It is located at the edge of the Arab bazaar and marketplace. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 5/3/2013)