Northwest Area

View looking northwest at the northwest corner of the temple mount area.  In the center of the image note the four towers.  These are the towers of the Antonia Fortress.

During the late Second Temple Period, there was a Roman garrison stationed in this fortress.  This garrison actually saved Paul from the mob that was about to stone him to death and in which Paul was held until he was transferred to Caesarea (Acts 21:7–23:31).

On the far right (north), the five-portico structure is the Pools of Bethesda.

On the Temple Mount, the large open area to the right of the Temple is part of the “Court of the Gentiles.”  Note also the colonnades that surround the whole Temple area.