Richard Nowitz

The Double Gate: The main entrance to the Temple Mount at the time of Herod is marked today by half of an arch built over the Double Gate during the Omayyad period (633–750 A.D.). Used by pilgrims and residents of Jerusalem, including Jesus, to approach and exit the sacred precinct, the Double Gate originally was not decorated at all on the outside. Instead it was surmounted by a plain lintel and above this, a relieving arch (see drawing). The Herodian lintel and relieving arch are visible in this photo directly above the applied Omayyad arch. A fragment of another, smaller Omayyad decoration protrudes from the wall above the relieving arch.