Robinson’s Arch
Attached directly to the southwest corner of the Temple Mount, was a monumental staircase which provided access to the temple complex from the Herodian street below. Known as Robinson’s Arch, after 19th century Biblical scholar Edward Robinson, the structure was unusually wide and had undoubtedly served as a crucial pathway at what was once a bustling ancient intersection. Here, the esplanade of the Huldah Gates met with the Herodian street running north-south, as well as streets leading down the Tyropoeon Valley and up toward the Upper City. Integral to the function of Robinson’s Arch was the accessibility it provided to the Royal Stoa above. Having been an addition made to the Temple Mount under Herod, the Royal Stoa was not widely considered to be a sacred space, and therefore open to public activities such as trading and legal procedures – both in keeping with the function of everyday Roman basilicas at the time. Consequently, it stands to reason that Robinson’s Arch provided efficient access from what may have been the city’s Lower Market below. Pictured directly behind Robinson’s Arch are sprawling tents and market stalls, illustrating what might have been a vibrant and bustling thoroughfare along the Herodian street.
I would, once again, be remiss if I failed to mention that this is the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. A small portion of the remaining limestone western retaining wall is known today as the Wailing Wall to Jewish pilgrims traveling to the site, and is revered for its proximity to the Temple Mount. In Islam, it is known as the al-Buraq Wall, where the Prophet Muhammad tied his winged steed before ascending to heaven.
Robinson’s Arch
Attached directly to the southwest corner of the Temple Mount, was a monumental staircase which provided access to the temple complex from the Herodian street below. Known as Robinson’s Arch, after 19th century Biblical scholar Edward Robinson, the structure was unusually wide and had undoubtedly served as a crucial pathway at what was once a bustling ancient intersection. Here, the esplanade of the Huldah Gates met with the Herodian street running north-south, as well as streets leading down the Tyropoeon Valley and up toward the Upper City. Integral to the function of Robinson’s Arch was the accessibility it provided to the Royal Stoa above. Having been an addition made to the Temple Mount under Herod, the Royal Stoa was not widely considered to be a sacred space, and therefore open to public activities such as trading and legal procedures – both in keeping with the function of everyday Roman basilicas at the time. Consequently, it stands to reason that Robinson’s Arch provided efficient access from what may have been the city’s Lower Market below. Pictured directly behind Robinson’s Arch are sprawling tents and market stalls, illustrating what might have been a vibrant and bustling thoroughfare along the Herodian street.
I would, once again, be remiss if I failed to mention that this is the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. A small portion of the remaining limestone western retaining wall is known today as the Wailing Wall to Jewish pilgrims traveling to the site, and is revered for its proximity to the Temple Mount. In Islam, it is known as the al-Buraq Wall, where the Prophet Muhammad tied his winged steed before ascending to heaven.