Southern Steps
About Southern Steps
Three times a year, worshippers would enter the Temple from the Southern Steps, after a customary cleansing in the nearby ritual baths. These pilgrimages were to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths.
Southern Wall
The Southern Steps are a set of massive flight of steps leading to the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount from the south. The Southern Wall is about 281m long and built of huge blocks of Jerusalem stone.
Flight of Steps
The staircase is about 64m wide with a combination of smooth stone slabs and carved bedrock. It comprises 30 steps, with a landing after each step. This layout probably made the ascent slow and respectful as the pilgrims approached God, resisting the urge for social interaction while passing through the busy crowds.
Huldah Gates
The pilgrims entered the Temple through the eastern triple gate and exit via the western double gate. Together, these gates are known as the Huldah Gate, named after the prophetess Huldah. Though sealed with stone since the Arab/Crusader times, the arches are still visible.
Event Described in Acts 2
This may be the spot where Peter and other disciples, freshly anointed with the Holy Spirit and addressing the thousands of families who came to Jerusalem for the Festival of Weeks, spoke to them using their own native languages. About 3,000 people received Peter’s exhortation and were baptised.
Interesting Facts
- The staircase consists of 15 pairs of alternating broad (90cm) and narrow (30cm) steps.
- Pilgrims would enter the gates and go through magnificent passageways leading to the temple courts.
- The triple arched gate is now walled up and constitutes the qibla wall of Masjid al-Marwani (Solomon’s Stables) and the double gate is also walled up and constitutes the qibla wall of Masjid Asqa al-Qadimi.
