Western Wall Plaza

The Western Wall Plaza is a large open area at the foot of the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, serving as a central site for religious observance, national ceremonies, and public gatherings. It was established after the Six-Day War in 1967 CE, when Israeli forces captured the Old City and demolished the Moroccan Quarter, significantly expanding access to the Western Wall. Today, the plaza functions as a major focal point for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage, attracting millions of visitors annually.

Before 1967 CE, access to the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, was restricted due to Jordanian control over East Jerusalem from 1948 to 1967 CE. The wall itself is a remnant of the retaining structure of the Second Temple, constructed during the reign of Herod the Great (circa 37–4 BCE). Historically, the area in front of the wall was narrow and enclosed by residential buildings from the Moroccan Quarter, a neighborhood established in the late 12th century CE by Salah al-Din’s son, Al-Afdal ibn Salah al-Din. After Israel’s capture of the Old City in June 1967 CE, the Moroccan Quarter was demolished, clearing space for the creation of the Western Wall Plaza. This transformation allowed for large public gatherings and unrestricted Jewish access to the site.

The plaza is located directly in front of the Western Wall, within the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. It extends from the Mughrabi Bridge (leading to the Temple Mount) in the south to the archaeological excavations of the Western Wall Tunnels in the north. The site is enclosed by security checkpoints and is accessible through several gates, including the Dung Gate. The area also includes entrances to religious study centers and facilities for visitors.

The plaza itself is divided into sections, reflecting both religious and public uses. The main portion consists of the prayer area, which is separated into men’s and women’s sections, following Orthodox Jewish custom. The men’s section is larger and extends closer to the Western Wall, while the women’s section is adjacent to it but smaller. A separate, less formal prayer area known as Ezrat Yisrael was later established near Robinson’s Arch for egalitarian prayer services, accommodating non-Orthodox Jewish denominations.

Beyond the prayer spaces, the upper plaza serves as a venue for national and religious events, including swearing-in ceremonies for IDF soldiers, memorial services, and public prayers. The plaza also accommodates large crowds during Jewish holidays such as Passover, Yom Kippur, and Tisha B’Av, when thousands gather for communal prayers. The site includes seating areas, informational displays, and access to the Western Wall Tunnels, which provide a subterranean view of the wall’s full length.

One of the most significant aspects of the Western Wall Plaza is its role in Jewish religious and cultural identity. It is the closest accessible point to the Temple Mount, which is regarded as the holiest site in Judaism. Pilgrims visit the site to pray, place written prayers into the crevices of the wall, and celebrate life events such as bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and national commemorations. While the plaza is primarily used for Jewish worship, it remains a site of historical and archaeological importance, reflecting Jerusalem’s layered past and religious significance.

Over the years, the Western Wall Plaza has been the subject of political and religious disputes, particularly regarding prayer arrangements and the role of non-Orthodox Jewish denominations. Debates over the expansion of egalitarian prayer spaces and the governance of the site continue to be a point of contention between religious authorities, the Israeli government, and international Jewish communities. Despite these tensions, the Western Wall Plaza remains one of the most visited and revered locations in Jerusalem, serving as a bridge between history, faith, and modern national identity.

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