Damascus Gate

Why stop here

The busiest gate into the Old City. Suleiman the Magnificent built it in 1537. A Roman gate from Hadrian's time sits underneath.

Look for

• The Roman gate below, reached by steps to the east.
• The wide stone steps down into the plaza.
• The souq starts the moment you pass through.

Context

The Arabic name means gate of the column. A Roman victory column once stood in the square behind it, carrying a statue of Hadrian. It is drawn on the Madaba map, made in the 6th century. The column is gone. The name stayed.

To the next stop

Go down the wide stone steps into the plaza and pass under the big arch. The souq starts the moment you are through, shops tight on both sides. About 130 m.