Golden Gate (Sealed) - February 2013
The Golden Gate is the only eastern gate of the Temple Mount and at one time was one of only two eastern-facing gates. It has been walled over since medieval times, and no archaeological work is allowed there, so the date of its construction is not known for certain. However, some have suggested a creation date somewhere between the late Byzantine and early Umayyad periods.

The Hebrew name of the Golden Gate is Sha'ar HaRachamim or Gate of Mercy. According to Jewish tradition, the eastern gate of the temple compound was called the Shushan Gate. If the Golden Gate is the Shushan Gate—which is a presumption because there is no archaeological proof—this would make it the oldest of the current gates in the Old City walls. Also according to Jewish tradition, the Shekhinah or Divine Presence appeared through the eastern gate, and will again when the Anointed One or Messiah comes and a new gate will replace the present one (Ezekiel 44:1–3). This may explain why medieval Jews prayed for mercy at at this gate.They may also have prayed here during the Crusader Period, when this habit was first documented, because they were not allowed to enter the city and this was as close as they could get to the Western Wall.