THE EASTERN GATE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND IMPRESSIVE GATE IN JERUSALEM. IT IS THE ONLY VISIBLE ENTRANCE TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM FROM THE EAST. CHRIST ENTERED THE TEMPLE THROUGH THE EASTERN GATE.
THIS OLDEST OF ALL THE GATES TO THE CITY WAS THE ONLY ONE NOT REBUILT BY SULEIMAN THE MAGNIFICENT IN A.D. 1539-42. MONOLITHIC STONES IN THE WALL JUST ABOVE GROUND HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 6TH CENTURY BC MASONRY FROM THE TIME OF NEHEMIAH.
THE EASTERN GATE WAS WALLED UP BY THE ARABS IN THE YEAR 810. IT HAS REMAINED CLOSED NOW FOR NEARLY TWELVE CENTURIES. THE JEWISH PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE GATE WILL OPEN WHEN THE LORD RETURNS TO JERUSALEM.
