About Lion’s Gate

The Lion’s Gate is closest to the first station of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa. On Palm Sunday, there is a procession retracing Jesus’ route passing through this gate from the Mount of Olives into the Old City of Jerusalem. The Lion’s Gate became famous during the Six Day War in 1967 when the IDF paratroopers stormed through to defeat the Jordanian troops and capture the Temple Mount.

Legend

The gate is named after a pair of ferocious-looking lion carvings that flank it. Legend has it that the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent had a nightmare in which he saw lions about to devour him if he did not construct a wall around Jerusalem. Waking up, he ordered a wall to be built with the lion imprints at the city gate in 1538-39.

Alternative Names

The gate has different names. It is known as St Stephen’s Gate named after the first Christian martyr who died for his faith in Jesus. According to one of the traditions, Stephen was stoned next to this gate. It is also called the Sheep Gate where sheep and lambs were brought for examination and eventual sacrifice in the Temple.