The Wall and Gates of Old Jerusalem Walls of Old Jerusalem Remains of the ancient walls of Jerusalem were found in Ophel (Dhour) area south of the Old City. It is dated to the 19th century B.C. During this time, the city limits did not extend beyond the current southern walls. However, excavations below the Dammascus gates proposed that the city wall is built over a Roman foundation. The existing walls of Jerusalem are dated to several periods. They are difficult to be dated precisely because the same stones were used in later constructions. The earliest wall is dated to the Byzantine and Ummayed periods. Remains of this wall can bee seen in the southern wall. At many places the lower bases belonged to the wall built during the Fatimid period. It is the same wall which was used and reconstructed during the Crusaders period. The third date belongs to the Mamluke period. Most of the upper parts are dated to the Ottoman period. The wall extends over an area of 2.5 miles and its maximum height is 40 feet. Its length from the north 3930 feet, from the east 2754 feet, from the south 3245 feet and from the west 2086 feet. It has 34 towers and 11 gates. Seven gates are open and the rest are closed. The wall is built of stones from different types. From the south east corner of the Haram El-Sharif (See Map) and toward the Lion's Gate is a distance of 200 meters. The wall is built from small stones. From the gate to the north east corner is a distance of 300 meters. At this corner is Burj El-Laqlaq which is 23 feet wide. From this corner to St. Stephen gate is a distance of 300 meters. Form this gate to Dammascus gate is a distance of 370 meters. The wall is raised on top of a rock foundation. The area was used as a query for the walls stones. The wall extends to Jalud castle west of Dammascus gate to a distance of 570 meters. This side is built of stones of different sizes and characters. Some stones belonged to the Roman wall. The wall is built over the Fatimid- Crusaders foundation. Jalud castle is built on the north west corner of the wall. From this corner to Jaffa gate is a distance of 270 meters. The wall is built over a huge and large stone foundation while the upper parts are built of small stones. The Citadel of Jerusalem and its tower is located south of Jaffa gate. The opening between the Citadel and the gate was made in 1898 to allow the wagons of German Emperor Wilham II to pass through. From Jaffa gate to the south west corner is a distance of 430 meters. Form this corner to Nabi Dawoud gate is a distance of 170 meters. And from this gate to the Dung Gate is a distance of 530 meters which includes El-Kabreit Tower.