Ottoman walls and seven open gates enclose the Old City.
The Old City Walls of Jerusalem, Israel, are the Ottoman fortifications built for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent between 1537 and 1541 CE. They run for roughly 4 kilometres, rise to about 12 metres in places, and are punctuated by 34 watchtowers and seven open gates: Jaffa, New, Damascus, Herod's, Lions' (St Stephen's), Dung and Zion Gates, plus the Golden Gate, which has been sealed for centuries. The walls follow older lines laid down by Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, Ayyubid and Mamluk builders, and stonework of earlier periods is visible at the base of several sections. Their historical significance lies in marking the boundary of the compact Old City, which holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Haram al-Sharif. Jaffa Gate, where this entry is located, is the main western entrance. Beside it, an L-shaped bend in the passage was designed to slow attackers on horseback, and a section of wall was breached in 1898 so that Kaiser Wilhelm II could enter the city in a carriage. Damascus Gate, the most elaborate, has a sunken plaza and a Roman-era gate beneath its modern level, which can be viewed from within the adjacent excavations. The walls are built of local limestone blocks, and their crenellated parapets, arrow slits and machicolations show the military engineering of the early Ottoman period. Visitors can walk the ramparts on two ticketed sections: the northern route runs from Jaffa Gate to Lions' Gate, and the southern route runs from Jaffa Gate past the Citadel to Dung Gate and the Zion Gate area, passing above the Armenian and Jewish Quarters. The ramparts give close views of rooftops, church domes, minarets and the Mount of Olives. Gates themselves are free to pass through and are open around the clock. The walls have undergone continuous conservation by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Jerusalem Development Authority, including stone cleaning and parapet repair, and they are well preserved overall, though the ramparts walk has steep stairs and uneven surfaces. The site is best approached as an outdoor, self-paced monument rather than a museum, with interpretive signs at several gate points.
| Admission | Free (Ramparts Walk about 25-30 ILS / $8-10) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours (Ramparts Walk ticketed hours apply) |
| Address | Jaffa Gate, Old City, Jerusalem |
Why it matters
The present walls were built by Suleiman the Magnificent between 1537 and 1541 and define the 0.9 square kilometre Old City that holds sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They follow earlier Roman, Crusader and Mamluk lines and remain the city's defining historic boundary.
Location
Jaffa Gate, Old City, Jerusalem
31.7767, 35.2279 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the northern or southern ramparts for rooftop views over the Old City quarters
- Pass through Jaffa Gate, with its right-angle defensive bend and 1898 breach
- See Damascus Gate, the most ornate gate, with Roman remains below street level
- Spot Suleiman's inscription and 16th-century Ottoman stonework along the wall
Tips for visiting
- Start the ramparts walk at Jaffa Gate in the morning for cooler temperatures and fewer people
- The ramparts walk is one-way in sections; check the ticket office for the current direction
- Wear sturdy shoes, as steps are steep and worn and railings are limited in places
- Ramparts close earlier on Fridays and in poor weather, so check hours on the day
- Gates are free to enter at any hour, but the Old City is quietest at dawn
When to visit
Spring and autumn mornings are most comfortable. Late afternoon gives warm light on the limestone but ramparts close early.
Accessibility
The gates are step-free at Jaffa Gate, but the ramparts are reached by steep stairs and are not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How many gates does the Old City wall have?
There are eight gates in total, of which seven are open: Jaffa, New, Damascus, Herod's, Lions', Dung and Zion. The Golden Gate on the eastern side has been sealed for centuries.
Can visitors walk along the top of the walls?
Yes, two ticketed ramparts routes are open, one on the northern side and one on the southern side. The two sections do not connect all the way around the city.
Who built the current walls?
The Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had them built between 1537 and 1541. They follow the line of earlier fortifications.
How long does a ramparts walk take?
Each section takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours at a relaxed pace, including photo stops.