In an aperture of the western wall of Jerusalem hang the "oaken valves" called the Bethlehem or Joppa Gate.

The area outside of them is one of the notable places of the city.

Long before David coveted Zion there was a citadel there.

When at last the son of Jesse ousted the Jebusite, and began to build, the site of the citadel became the northwest corner of the new wall, defended by a tower much more imposing than the old one.

The location of the gate, however, was not disturbed, for the reasons, most likely, that the roads which met and merged in front of it could not well be transferred to any other point, while the area outside had become a recognized market-place.