When workers of the Conservation Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority went about restoring the decorations on Damascus Gate they were aided by pictures of the gate that were taken at the beginning of the 20th century when the British governed Jerusalem.

 

The pictures show the gate in all its glory, with the crown at the top of the center embrasure and based on this the conservators proceeded with their work. As part of the engineering and stabilizing measures performed, the ‘crown’ was secured to the core of the wall by means of eleven anchors.

 

At the same time the decoration’s four stones were completely restored, and its ceiling was covered again with stone slabs as it was in the past, based on the historical photographs.

 

"The work at Damascus Gate was particularly challenging since it is located at the entrance to a noisy and bustling marketplace", says Avi Mashiah, the project’s architect on behalf of the Conservation Department of the Israel Antiquities Authority shares. "All of the work that was carried out there was done so in agreement with the local merchants.

 

Because of its beauty, Damascus Gate is also the most documented of Jerusalem’s city gates and its historical material and numerous photographs facilitated an accurate restoration of its appearance. Every single decoration, including all of its features, was studied and restored by us down to the smallest detail, in order to provide visitors to the gate as full and complete an experience as possible”.

 

When you visit the old city of Jerusalem – don't forget to visit Damascus Gate and observe its beautiful crown!

 

In the pictures: Damascus Gate before and after the rehabilitation project