שער ברקלי, Ancient gate in Temple Mount area, Jerusalem, Israel
The Barclay Gate is an ancient gate in the Temple Mount area, located at the southern end of the Western Wall prayer plaza. It features a massive stone lintel weighing between 30 and 40 tons, positioned three courses above the plaza floor.
The gate was discovered in 1852 by James Turner Barclay during an archaeological survey following excavations that exposed underground spaces during Temple Mount restoration work. This discovery contributed to understanding the ancient structure of the sacred site.
The gate carries different names across faiths: Jews historically called it Solomon's Gate while Muslims referred to it as the Gate of Forgiveness.
The gate remains sealed and is difficult to access from the prayer plaza, positioned above the ground level and partially obscured by a structure in the women's section. Visitors should understand that this is an active prayer site with specific religious protocols to observe.
The gate connects to an underground passage extending approximately 32 meters from a water cistern, which then reaches a sealed wall within the Temple Mount. This hidden channel reveals the intricate ancient water management and infrastructure beneath the sacred site.
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