
Dung Gate, Jerusalem
The Dung Gate is one of the gates in the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem built in the 16th century, situated near the southeast corner of the Old City, southwest of the Temple Mount. The ignominious “dung” word refers to the original Hebrew name – Sha'ar Ha'ashpot – which is more discreet and translates literally as the “Gate of Garbage” or “Ash Pot Gate” in a sense that when the First Jewish Temple was still in place, all the garbage and ash from sacrifices were flung out through this gate into the Valley of Hinnom to be burned.
That ancient "Dung Gate" however may not have been the same as the one built in the 16th century, which only got its name in the 19th century. The 16th-century gate was much smaller than it is today, more like a wicket, and was enlarged in 1952 under the Jordanians who took control over the Old City in 1948. After the Israelis captured it in 1967, they renovated the gate further.
The benefit of the Dung Gate is its proximity/convenient access to the Western Wall (entrance to the Western Wall Plaza is directly behind the gate), as well as to the City of David (and Hezekiah's Tunnel), as it serves as the main passage for vehicles coming out of the Old City and for buses heading to the Western Wall.
That ancient "Dung Gate" however may not have been the same as the one built in the 16th century, which only got its name in the 19th century. The 16th-century gate was much smaller than it is today, more like a wicket, and was enlarged in 1952 under the Jordanians who took control over the Old City in 1948. After the Israelis captured it in 1967, they renovated the gate further.
The benefit of the Dung Gate is its proximity/convenient access to the Western Wall (entrance to the Western Wall Plaza is directly behind the gate), as well as to the City of David (and Hezekiah's Tunnel), as it serves as the main passage for vehicles coming out of the Old City and for buses heading to the Western Wall.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Jerusalem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Dung Gate on Map
Sight Name: Dung Gate
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Jerusalem, Israel
Create Your Own Walk in Jerusalem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Jerusalem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mount Scopus Walking Tour
Dotted with many sightseeing places, Mount Scopus – translating as the “Observation Mount” from Greek – is a great place to get views over the whole Old City of Jerusalem on a nice day. The mount has been of major strategic importance since Roman times, with forces setting up camp here prior to laying the siege that culminated in the final Roman victory over Jerusalem around 70 AD.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Mount of Olives Walking Tour
Aside from affording great views over the Old City, the Mount of Olives is home to half a dozen major sites of the Christian faith along with the oldest Jewish burial ground in the world. Considered a holy spot by many, it is associated with numerous events in Jesus’ life including ascending to Heaven and teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
The following self-guided walking tour will... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The following self-guided walking tour will... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Muslim Quarter & Temple Mount Tour
The largest, most populous and perhaps most chaotic of all Jerusalem’s quarters, the Muslim Quarter is worth exploring for its unique atmosphere. Spending a day here may take you back to a simpler time, but be prepared for many sights and sounds as you pass many vendors, stores and restaurants on your way from site to site.
Some of the city’s most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Some of the city’s most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Jerusalem City Gates Walking Tour
Historians believe that the Old City of Jerusalem probably came into being more than 4,500 years ago. The defensive wall around it features a number of gates built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the first half of the 16th century, each of which is an attraction in its own right. Until as recently as 1870, they were all closed from sunset to sunrise; nowadays, just... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Entirely rebuilt in the 1980s after having been largely destroyed during the 1948 War, the Jewish Quarter is quite distinct from the rest of the Old City. Good signposting, spacious passageways, art galleries and a somewhat less buzzing atmosphere make the area a relaxing place to spend some time.
With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Christian Quarter Walking Tour
One of the epicenters of worldwide Christianity, the Christian Quarter is the 2nd-largest of Jerusalem’s four ancient quarters. A fascinating place to stroll through, it covers the Old City’s northwestern part, just beyond Jaffa Gate – the traditional pilgrim’s entrance to Jerusalem and a prime destination for most visitors.
With its tangle of broad streets and winding, narrow alleys,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
With its tangle of broad streets and winding, narrow alleys,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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