 In a broader sense , the Western Wall can refer to the entire 488 meter @-@ long retaining wall on the western side of the Temple Mount . The classic portion now faces a large plaza in the Jewish Quarter , near the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount , while the rest of the wall is concealed behind structures in the Muslim Quarter , with the small exception of a 25 ft ( 8 m ) section , the so @-@ called Little Western Wall . The segment of the Western retaining wall traditionally used for Jewish liturgy known as the " Western Wall " derives its particular importance to it having never been fully obscured by medieval buildings , and displaying much more of the original Herodian stonework than the " Little Western Wall " . In religious terms , the " Little Western Wall " is presumed to be even closer to the Holy of Holies and thus to the " presence of God " ( <unk> ) , and the underground Warren 's Gate , which has been out of reach since the 12th century , even more so . 
