Gate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry or exit, or they may be merely decorative.

Larger gates can be used for a whole building, such as a castle or fortified town, or the actual doors that block entry through the gatehouse. Today many gate doors are opened by an automated gate operator.

[edit] History

In ancient and medieval times, gatehouses of cities and castles were heavily defended and fortified to prevent breaching of the gates. Often the gate would consist of several pairs of doors and iron grates along a tunnel through the gatehouse. The top of the tunnel commonly had murder holes to allow defenders to attack invaders trying to breach the inner doors. Drawbridges were common in conjunction with gates to facilitate passing the moat; moats were often used to increase the effective height of the walls.

A number of gates are used to mark military victories or important occasions as in a triumphal arch.

[edit] See also

• city gate
• domotics
• gate (airport)
• gatehouse
• doorway or gateway
• border, threshold or barrier
• kissing gate
• lych gate
• torii
• triumphal arch
• turnstile

This gate doesn't prevent entry but clearly suggests a borderline.

A small but elegant gate to a meadow path.

Ishtar Gate is the oldest city gate in existence.

Gates to official residences often feature elaborate ironwork.

• Photos and locations of gates and stiles in Britain