PLAZA
The plaza was a widening of the street that in ancient cities was right in front of the wall, behind an access gate to the city; It was not a large open area like the ones we know today.
Cities were built on elevations, and space could not be wasted. The streets were narrow and winding. In the “square” before the gate transactions were carried out and markets were held (2 Kings 7:1).
There also justice was administered (cf. Rt. 4:2) and public punishments were suffered (cf. Jer. 20:2). This same plan can be seen in today’s Old Jerusalem just inside the Damascus Gate.