Which Gate to Jerusalem is this? Shechem? Nablus? Damascus?

This is a vintage photo of one of the most popular gates entering the Old City of Jerusalem. Which is it?

When pilgrims came to Jerusalem for the festivals (or any other reason) and they were ready to return home, they would ask the local people, “Which gate do I exit if I’m going to Jaffa?” or “Where is the Jaffa Gate?” The road from Jaffa Gate headed west toward Jaffa (Yafo) and the Mediterranean coast.

The road leading away from this gate pictured above led north. Most “local” pilgrims would be headed toward the City of Shechem. So in Hebrew it became known as “Sha’ar Shechem.” (Shechem Gate). Shechem is the final resting place of Joseph, as mentioned in Joshua 24:32 —

The bones of Joseph, which the Children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, were buried in Shechem in a parcel of land Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver.

In the year 72CE Roman Emperor Vespasian destroyed the City of Shechem and built a new city 2 kilometers west of the ruins. He called it Flavius Neapolis (new city).

When the Muslims conquered the area in the year 636 CE, they Arabicized the name of the city to Nablus. (Arabs cannot pronounce the letter “P.” They say “B” instead. Hence the irony that they cannot say, “Palestine!”)

So the gate above is also called “Nablus Gate.”

International travelers and pilgrims leaving Jerusalem would be heading to toward the nearest international city which would be Damascus, which is also to the north along the road leading away from the gate. Some Israelis will call the gate “Sha’ar Dameseq” and in English it is universally known as “Damascus Gate.”

For your information it is about a 15 hour walk to Shechem/Nablus and about a 73 hour walk to Damascus if you are a serious Pilgrim