The walls of Jerusalem are originally built to protect the city from intrusion and a defense under the rule of the Ottoman empire. Inside these walls is the seat of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
The wall has so many gates that one can enter except for one, the Gate of Mercy or Golden Gate. This is the most important gate amongst the Jews, Muslims and Christians.
According to legends, the sultan sealed the gate so that the Messiah of Christians will not be able to enter Jerusalem again. The Muslims believe that the Golden Gate is to be a part of the last judgment of men at the end of history.
The Jews believe that their Messiah will enter through the Golden Gate and will bring redemption to the Hebrew nation.
For Christians, Jesus rode his donkey through the Golden Gate on Palm Sunday. They, too, believe as Jesus is their messiah and on his second coming, he will enter the city through the Golden Gate.
The Muslims built a cemetery in front of the gate thinking that the Messiah of the Jews and Christians will not pass through due to an Old Testament law that prohibits them into contact with the dead.
The Walling Wall is a sacred site and prayer section for the Jews. Grass grows between the cracks, birds nest in the hole of the walls and bits of written prayer stuffed in the lower part of the cracks of the wall.
Behind the wall is the Holiest of Holy for the Muslims, Dome of the Rock.
The Church of Holy Sepulcher is the main destination for Christians.
This is the place of crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth. In the walls of the Church, Christians leave their written prayers between the cracks similar to the Wailing Wall.
Outside Jerusalem, a new wall evolved as a “separation barrier” or “security fence” or “apartheid wall” or “anti-terrorist fence.” This wall is a project of Israel.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
~ Mending Wall Robert Frost, 1874 – 1963
Finally, these are the Wall Flowers of Israel, the Pilgrims.
Photographs and Memories 
This was very interesting. Thanks for sharing, Seeker. 🙂
You are most welcome, Norma.
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I saw some photos recently of Jerusalem under snow—there’s something real;ly freaky about that thought~! But like people anywhere, the snow seemed also so fun. And that’s what it’s all about: people.
Love your shots, and the history 🙂
Can’t give you a ‘like’ for this, ‘cos I can’t find a Like Button anywhere—have you nobbled it?
Argus, the like button is too shy…
Yes, that was just recently. It does snow there once in a while but to have that much snow is climate change. And we did not have it here in Vancouver. Thank you, Argus.
Thank you for the virtual tour and the historic info!
You are welcome, Amy.
Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting.
You are welcome, Raconteur.
Liked… ME