Bab Sharqi (Arabic:بَابٌ شَرْقِيٌّ,romanized: Bāb Šarqī; "The Eastern Gate"), also known as theGate of the Sun, is one of the seven ancientcity gates ofDamascus,Syria. Its modern name comes from its location in the eastern side of the city.[1]
In addition to being the only originalRoman gate still standing, Bab Sharqi is also the only gate of the eight gates of theAncient City of Damascus to preserve its original form as a triple passageway, with the large central passageway for caravans and wheel traffic and the two smaller ones flanking the large one for pedestrians.[2]
The gate, which was dedicated to the sun by the Romans and known to them as the Gate of The Sun, was established ca. 200 AD.[3] Its architecture was minimal with pilasters projecting from its walls. This was the entrance to the city'sDecumanus Maximus known by biblical sources as theStreet Called Straight.[1] The Street Called Straight, still connects the eastern gate of the city to the western gate, orBab al-Jabiyah.[3]
His granting of Christian citizens continued access to their churches in the eastern district started the gradual evolution of the city's Christian Quarter near the gate.[2]
