Burj al-Laqlaq constitutes the northeast angle of the Jerusalem Wall and is located across from the Palestinian Museum (Rockefeller).
Founder
Burj al-Laqlaq was built during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I (Suleiman al-Qanuni) in 1538-1539 AD (945 H), as indicated by the inscription on the eastern façade of the tower. It is possible that the base of this tower is ancient, but its current architecture is undoubtedly Ottoman.
Tower’s Decorations
Burj al-Laqlaq has four facades, the most famous of which are the northern and eastern ones, which have a set of geometrical and floral motifs on stone discs and some arrow slits. There is also a large stone motif comprising a sea shell, from which 20 hollow sides emanate from a protruding stone slab with braided tentacles.
Burj al-Laqlaq is composed of two floors accessible through a small entrance on the west side. The first floor includes a semi-square room whose northern, eastern and southern walls are parts of the Jerusalem Wall, and display long shaped slits for archery.
The next stop is Bab al-Asbat (Lions’ Gate). To get to it from Burj al-Laqlaq, the visitor must walk a few hundred meters along the eastern part of the Jerusalem Wall.
