471 years after it was built, Herod’s Gate in the old city of Jerusalem is re- inaugurated. King Herod is welcome to visit his luxury palace yet again.

King herod (74BC-4BC), a Roman client king of Israel, is a controversial figure in the Jewish history. His subjects were divided as to his motives. Nonetheless he is known to renovate the destroyed first temple at around 20 BC, which became known as Herod’s temple.

Herod’s Gate is one out of 7 gates that were breached in the old city walls. The walls were built in the sixteenth century by the sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The wall is 4,018 meters long, 2.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide. It was built to protect the city from outside dangers. 

Herod’s Gate was first inaugurated in the year 1539 CE. The gate was constructed originally as a postern gate which only allowed people and unharnessed animals to enter the city. At the end of the nineteenth century an opening was breached in the gate’s northern facade which allowed passage directly into the city. Remains of the sentry post that protected the original entrance can still be seen in the gate’s eastern facade.

Yuli Shwartz, spokesperson of the Israel Antiquity Authority, explains the challenges of the reconstructions process:

The rehabilition work, which took four month, was complex and enforced sensitivity and strict preparations that included a meticulous conservation, historical survey and documentation of the gate. The gate’s facades and interior received extensive treatment that included a thorough cleaning, treating the stones and decorations that have been subjected to years of weathering.  

Herod’s Gate in the Old City will be re-inaugurated in a festive ceremony on June 28, attended by the mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Nir Barkat and other dignitaries.