it was built at the request of the french consul to provide access to the old city from the notre dame hospice that was completed in 1886, and to provide russian christian pilgrims living at the russian compound (outside the old city walls) direct access to the church of the holy sepulchre in the christian quarter. contrary to popular belief, kaiser wilhelm ii during his visit to jerusalem entered not through the new gate, but through the "hole in the wall", made so that he wouldn't have to dismount his carriage to enter the city.