New Gate

Welcome, observant traveler, to the highest topographical point of the Old City of Jerusalem. I invite you to stand just outside the magnificent limestone ramparts, feeling the cool, high-altitude breeze that continuously sweeps…

As we move slightly northwest, away from the immediate shadow of the New Gate, we find ourselves standing in what is historically known as the French Compound. Take a deep breath of the crisp Jerusalem air and look at the…

Let us pause here, standing before the breathtaking facade of the Notre Dame facility. Tilt your head back and let your eyes trace the monumental scale of this structure. …

As we retrace our steps slightly closer to the wall, we arrive at the grounds of the Saint Louis Hospital. Observe the classical lines of its architecture, the solid, enduring stonework that speaks of permanence and institutional…

We now stand face to face with the exterior of the New Gate. Run your hand, if you can, along the golden limestone facing the street. …

Step forward now, directly into the threshold of the New Gate. As you cross from the bright exterior into the shadow of the stone archway, pay close attention to your path. …

Having crossed the threshold, walk a few paces into the city and then turn around to face the gate from the inside. Observe the flow of people passing freely through the archway today—tourists carrying cameras, locals carrying…

Let us now turn our backs to the gate and venture slightly deeper into the narrow, winding cobblestone streets before us. Notice the immediate shift in atmosphere. …

As our focused exploration of the New Gate and its immediate environs draws to a close, find a quiet spot along the stone wall to rest and reflect. We have traversed a remarkably short physical distance, yet we have journeyed…