History

It was originally called Bab al-Yahud because of its location next to the Jewish Quarter. It was rebuilt and renamed by al-Zaher Ghazi in 1212 to become the most important northern gate of the city. Its simple, direct access form became more complex under the reconstruction with the fortifying tactics used by the Ayyubids. The left tower has an opening that leads to a vaulted chamber that changes the direction of procession towards the right. The chamber connects to a vaulted corridor carved out of the thickness of the wall that leads outside to the left. This double-bent axis gives the gate its military strength while reducing its practicality. During the Ottoman

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...

 period the double wall was pierced to readapt the gate for vehicular passage due to the gates location on al-Khandaq Street which was originally part of the moats that the Ottomans transformed into a major carriageway. The gate was protected by two saints al-Khidr

Al-Khidr

Khidr or Al-Khidr is a revered figure in Islam, whom the Qur'an describes as a righteous servant of God, who possessed great wisdom or mystic knowledge, represented iconically by a fish...

 and Abu al-Abbas.