Bab Sharqi
Encyclopedia
Bab Sharqi also known as the Gate of the Sun, is one of the eight ancient city gate
s of Damascus
, Syria
, and the only original Roman
gate still standing. Its modern name comes from its location in the eastern side of the city. The gate also gives its name to the christian quarter surrounding it. The grand facade of the gate was reconstructed in 1960s.
The Gate of the Sun, as it was known in Roman times, dates back to ca. 200 AD. The gate had little defensive structures, but it was probably flanked by towers from both sides. Its architecture was minimal with the only adoration being the tall pilasters. The gate, 26 metres (85.3 ft) wide, stood over a grand avenue, the Street Called Straight
, which was to become the main artery in the city. The avenue included a central carriageway for wheeled vehicles 14 metres (45.9 ft) wide, and two pedestrian arcaded pavements. Remains of the cross-city colonnade survive inside the gate. The Street Called Straight, still connects the eastern gate of the city to the western gate, or Bab al-Jabiyah.
Damascus was conquered by Muslims during the Rashidun era
. During the Siege of Damascus, the Muslim general Khalid ibn al-Walid
, entered Damascus through this gate in 18 September 634. The gate, along with many Roman tripartite gates, was considered undesirable from a military point of view. In the 13th-century during the reign of Nur ad-Din Zangi, the gate was partially blocked except for the central opening which was converted into a bent entrance. A minaret
was also added on top of the gate.
City gate
A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. Other terms include port.-Uses:City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods and animals...
s of Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, and the only original Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
gate still standing. Its modern name comes from its location in the eastern side of the city. The gate also gives its name to the christian quarter surrounding it. The grand facade of the gate was reconstructed in 1960s.
History
Street Called Straight
The Damascus Straight Street is the Roman street that runs from east to west in the old city of Damascus, Syria. It was visited by St. Paul as recorded in the book of Acts and contains several interesting sights from the Roman, Christian and Islamic periods.Under the Greeks, the old city of...
, which was to become the main artery in the city. The avenue included a central carriageway for wheeled vehicles 14 metres (45.9 ft) wide, and two pedestrian arcaded pavements. Remains of the cross-city colonnade survive inside the gate. The Street Called Straight, still connects the eastern gate of the city to the western gate, or Bab al-Jabiyah.
Damascus was conquered by Muslims during the Rashidun era
Rashidun
The Rightly Guided Caliphs or The Righteous Caliphs is a term used in Sunni Islam to refer to the first four Caliphs who established the Rashidun Caliphate. The concept of "Rightly Guided Caliphs" originated with the Abbasid Dynasty...
. During the Siege of Damascus, the Muslim general Khalid ibn al-Walid
Khalid ibn al-Walid
Khālid ibn al-Walīd also known as Sayf Allāh al-Maslūl , was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is noted for his military tactics and prowess, commanding the forces of Medina and those of his immediate successors of the Rashidun Caliphate; Abu Bakr and Umar...
, entered Damascus through this gate in 18 September 634. The gate, along with many Roman tripartite gates, was considered undesirable from a military point of view. In the 13th-century during the reign of Nur ad-Din Zangi, the gate was partially blocked except for the central opening which was converted into a bent entrance. A minaret
Minaret
A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery....
was also added on top of the gate.