St. Paul’s Gate

‎Bab esh Sherki, the eastern gate of Damascus, is sometimes called St. Paul’s Gate, as it is supposed that through it St. Paul, then called Saul, entered the street called Straight, and was led to the house of Judas. It is an ancient Roman portal, with three arches. The central and southern arches are now built up. The northern arch now in use is concealed by the Saracenic gate, at right angles to it. Immediately outside the gate, we see a large tower which is said to have been erected in the early ages of Mohammedan rule. These battlements are surmounted by a tapering minaret. This picture was taken by our artist from outside of the wall, and the ground we see is said to have been the site of furnaces for the manufacture of those finely glazed and richly colored tiles and finished vessels for which Damascus was once celebrated. If one has courage enough to ascend the dilapidated stairway of the tower in sight, a fine view of the city and its surroundings may be obtained. There must have been quite a collection of Jews in Damascus at the time of Saul’s arrival with his commission from the high priests, and they probably occupied this part of the city. It has since been known as the “Christian quarter,” and was prosperous and well built before the cruel massacre and devastation of 1860. Damascus was the city of Saul’s spiritual change. Here he was brought out of darkness into light; here his wrath and hate were changed to love and mercy. Beyond this gate he went out into the Arabian desert, leaving a paradise behind him, that he might “endure hardness as a good soldier,” and be trained for his spiritual warfare by the Lord alone.