Bab Sharqi, Roman city gate in Ancient City of Damascus, Syria
Bab Sharqi is the eastern entrance gate to the Old City of Damascus with three passages of different sizes. The largest central opening accommodated caravans, while the two smaller side passages served pedestrians.
The gate was built around 200 AD during Roman times and underwent major changes in the 12th century. At that time, the central opening was redesigned into a bent entrance by Nur ad-Din Zangi.
The gate marks the beginning of the Christian Quarter, where churches and religious sites continue to cluster today. Visitors can still see traces of this long-standing religious tradition reflected in the buildings and streets around it.
The gate sits at the eastern end of the Street Called Straight, which runs east to west across the Old City. Wear good walking shoes since the paved surfaces around the gate can be uneven in places.
It is the only one of eight gates in the Old City that has preserved its Roman design with three passages since ancient times. This allows visitors today to experience the original Roman construction style directly.
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