The Dung Gate (Sha’ar Ha’Ashpot) is the smallest and lowest of the Old City gates, and for most visitors it is the most important: it is the gate closest to the Western Wall and the main entrance to the Western Wall plaza. The name appears in the Book of Nehemiah, who describes rebuilding the gates of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile: “The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab” (Nehemiah 3:14). The name likely refers to the gate through which refuse was carried out of the city to the Kidron Valley below.
The Gate
The current gate was built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century as a small, low opening in the southern wall. After 1967, when Israel captured the Old City and the Western Wall became accessible, the gate was widened to accommodate the traffic of worshippers and visitors heading to the Wall. The original Ottoman arch is still visible within the enlarged opening. Security checkpoints at the gate control access to both the Western Wall plaza and, through separate checkpoints, to the Temple Mount.
The View
Approaching the Dung Gate from outside the walls, the view encompasses the southern wall of the Temple Mount, the City of David on the slope below, and the Mount of Olives rising beyond. The Davidson Center and the Southern Steps are a short walk along the southern wall to the east.
History
The name “Dung Gate” (Sha’ar Ha’Ashpot) appears in the Book of Nehemiah (3:14): “The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem.” The name likely refers to the gate through which refuse and ash from the Temple were carried out of the city toward the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Hinnom. The current gate was rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century as part of the Old City walls, though it was originally much smaller — the Jordanians widened it during their control of the Old City (1948–1967) to allow vehicle access.
June 7, 1967
The Dung Gate gained its modern significance on June 7, 1967, when Israeli paratroopers entered the Old City during the Six-Day War. After breaking through the Lions’ Gate and reaching the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, the area around the Dung Gate became the main access point to the newly liberated Western Wall plaza. Today it remains the primary entrance for visitors heading to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Dung Gate is where most visitors enter the Western Wall area. Hoshen Tours uses it as the starting or ending point for Old City itineraries that connect the Wall, the Temple Mount, and the City of David.