Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem

Nine measures of beauty were given to Jerusalem, and one and a half of them are found here, at Jaffa Gate and Mamilla Square. This place is a meeting point between old and new, between the walls of the Old City and the modern way of life in the city. In the morning hours, the square is illuminated by clear sunlight, lighting up the Jerusalem limestone of the walls in golden hues. In the evening hours, the yellowish lights cast dramatic shadows, and the landscape takes on an almost mysterious atmosphere.

Getting here is particularly easy – the light rail line stops at the City Hall station, just a few minutes’ walk from Jaffa Gate. From there, through IDF Square from above or the Mamilla complex from below, with its orderly shops and cafes, until the large square opens up before the gate.

The Mamilla complex itself is a testament to the meticulous preservation of Jerusalem’s history. In the past, this was a neglected area, but as part of its restoration, it was completely dismantled and rebuilt in the same format. You can see small numbers on some of the stones, evidence of the method by which they were dismantled, marked, and reassembled – an exceptional architectural preservation project that combined old and new.

Jaffa Gate is one of the main entrances to the Old City, and from here begins a tour without a dull moment. The colorful market spreads through its alleys, full of aromas of spices, fresh pastries, and souvenir stalls offering hamsas, embroideries, and kippot. A stop for a cup of real sahlab, thick and hot, with cinnamon and roasted nuts, makes the experience especially warm on winter days.

Those who want to see Jerusalem from above can ascend to the Ramparts Walk. The route passes over the narrow alleys and provides a panoramic view of the roofs of the Old City and the new city. The Tower of David, standing next to the gate, appears almost at eye level, and the path on the wall leads eastward until reaching the Dung Gate and from there to the Western Wall Plaza.

The feeling is of a journey through time – from the ancient holiness of the Western Wall, through the colorful noise of the market, to the elegant atmosphere of the Mamilla complex, which concludes the experience with cafes, restaurants, and modern shops, right next to the thousands-year-old Jerusalem stone.