[5] In the square behind this gate stood a Roman victory column topped by a statue of Emperor Hadrian, as depicted on the 6th-century Madaba Map.

[1] Until the latest excavations (1979–1984),[4] some researchers believed that Hadrian's gate was preceded by one erected by Agrippa I (r. 41–44 CE) as part of the so-called Third Wall.

[6][7] However, recent research seems to prove that the gate does not predate the Roman reconstruction of the city as Aelia Capitolina, during the first half of the second century.

[2] The Crusader barbican consisted mainly in an outer gatehouse opening to the east, and connected to the central portal of the Roman gate by an L-shaped courtyard enclosed by massive walls.

[9][2] A 1523 account of a visit to Jerusalem by a Jewish traveller from Leghorn uses the name Bâb el 'Amud and notes its proximity to the Cave of Zedekiah.

In August 2011, the Israeli authorities restored the turret, including its arrowslit, with the help of photos taken in the early twentieth century when the British Empire controlled Jerusalem.

The large paving slabs he unearthed were probably part of the plaza's pavement, but it cannot be ruled out that they were laid out in one of the streets radiating south of it.

It has folkloric and sentimental value to many Palestinians which includes imagery of women selling baladi products and coffee shops in the square.

The Washington Post published an article that year, entitled "Jerusalem's ancient Damascus Gate is at the heart of a modern wave of violence".

[17] In April 2021, Israeli police closed the staired plaza outside the gate, a traditional holiday gathering spot for Palestinians.

[21] Since 10 October, when Jerusalem Municipality renewed excavations of graves in the historic Muslim Bab al-Asbat Cemetery[22][23] near the Old City, mounting Palestinian anger led to daily arrests.