The Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem: Sha'ar HaPerachim

“Sha’ar Ha’Prachim,” (Hebrew "שער הפרחים"), called in Arabic Bab a-Zahara, translates as “Gate of Flowers” - but is known "Herod's Gate," and is one of the newer gates in the walls of the old city of Jerusalem.

During the rebuilding of the wall of the old city by Suleiman the Magnificent, there was a little wicket gate located in front of the current gate. The gate was opened and used very infrequently. This small gate was closed in 1875, as the Ottomans made a far larger opening in the northern part of the structure. It was done to accommodate the burgeoning neighborhoods north of the old city.

During the Ottoman Period this gate an L shape in its interior to make entry into the city more difficult. However, the gate became a direct entry during the British Mandate to allow for easier traffic flow.

The gate’s different names reflect different historical periods. The name Herod’s gate is believed to be have been given by pilgrims who mistakenly thought that the gate led to Herod’s palace. What they thought was the former palace of Herod Antipas was actually a house built during the Mamluk period (1250-1517 CE).

The gate is also called Bab a-Zahara or Gate of Flowers by the Arabs. In Medieval times the gate was name Bab a-Sahara – meaning those who don’t sleep at night – in reference to the Muslim cemetery located above the cave and possibly alluding to the resurrection of those buried there. Many believe that a-Zahara was a distortion of that name.

There are two more reasons given as to the naming of this gate, The Gate of Flowers. One is due to the fact that the gate has rose-like engravings on its façade and the other is was because merchants sold flowers right by the gate.

Sha'ar HaPerachim is situated east of the Damascus gate and adjoins the Moslem Quarter of the old city. Archeological excavations show that the wall between the Damascus Gate and Herod’s Gate has irregular channels reflecting that sections of the walls were built on top of structures dating back to the time when emperor Hadrian built Aela Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem.

Click the following for the list of all of Old Jerusalem's Eight Gates: The Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem