Church of the Condemnation 14 Oct 2019 – 14 Oct 2019

The church marks the spot traditionally held to be where Jesus took up his cross after being sentenced to death by crucifixion. This tradition is based on the assumption that an area of Roman flagstones, discovered beneath the building and beneath the adjacent Convent of the Sisters of Zion, are those of Gabbatha, the pavement which the Bible describes as the location of Pontius Pilate's judgment of Jesus.



Archaeological investigation now indicates that these slabs are the paving of the eastern of two second-century forums built by Hadrian as part of the Aelia Capitolina. The site of the forum had previously been a large open-air pool, the Strouthion Pool, which was constructed by the Hasmoneans, and mentioned by Josephus as being adjacent to the fortress in the first century. It is still present beneath Hadrian's flagstones.
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The original church was built during the Byzantine era. It was converted into a mosque before being restored to a Catholic church in 1904.
Wall illustrations depict Pontius Pilate washing his hands, and soldiers imposing the cross on Jesus. Four pink marble pillars support the ceiling. Pilasters…
This illustration shows John desperately trying to keep the Virgin Mary from seeing Jesus carrying the cross down the Via Dolorosa
Relief Map of the Old City at the time of the First Temple (?)
Church of the Flagellation
Terra Sancta Museum