 The Western Wall commonly refers to a 187 @-@ foot ( 57 m ) exposed section of ancient wall situated on the western flank of the Temple Mount . This section faces a large plaza and is set aside for prayer . In its entirety , however , the above @-@ ground portion of the Western Wall stretches for 1 @,@ 600 feet ( 488 m ) , most of which is hidden behind residential structures built along its length . Other revealed sections include the southern part of the Wall which measures approximately 80 metres ( 262 ft ) and another much shorter section known as the Little Western Wall which is located close to the Iron Gate . The wall functions as a retaining wall , supporting and enclosing the ample substructures built by Herod the Great around 19 BCE . Herod 's project was to create an artificial extension to the small quasi @-@ natural plateau on which the First and Second Temples stood , transforming it into the almost rectangular , wide expanse of the Temple Mount visible today . 
