The Way of the Cross - footsteps of Jesus The Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, marks Jesus’ final path through the streets of Jerusalem to his Crucifixion. With the Gospels as our only guide, however, the precise route has for centuries remained the subject of archaeological and religious debate First Station of the Cross Pontius Pilate, Roman Procurator, condemns Jesus to death. The Place of Judgement, the Praetorium, was in Pilate’s residence at a “place paved with stone”. Three locations have been proposed Second Jesus takes up the Cross. Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd proclaiming, “Behold the Man!” Two sections survive today of the Ecce Homo Arch (B) – built by Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD Inside Convent of the Sisters of Sion (C) Section above Via Dolorosa After Salvador Dali Locating the Praetorium - alternative sites Golgotha Crucifixion site. Now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Judgement Gate City exit to site of execution Citadel Kind Herod's Palace Most luxurious in city – likely residence of Pontius Pilate Extent of Old City today Antonia Fortress Herod’s fortress – traditional start of route as identified by Crusaders in 14th century. Present-day El Omariye School (A) Temple Mount City walls in Jesus’s time Hasmonean Palace Remains of public buildings and Palatial Mansion discovered. Byzantine church marked site until 7th century Enlarged area UPPER CITY LOWER CITY Stations of the Cross Based on 14th century tradition Third Jesus falls for the first time under the weight of the Cross Fourth Jesus meets his mother. Now an Armenian church (D) – Mary’s sandal prints in crypt Fifth Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus. Jesus’ handprint on nearby wall Sixth Veronica wipes Jesus’s face. True image (vera icon) left imprinted on her handkerchief Seventh Jesus falls for a second time Eighth Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem. Marked with a cross and Greek inscription NIKA, meaning victory Ninth Jesus falls for a third time. Gate of Coptic Patriarchate (E) Tenth Jesus is stripped of his garments JERUSALEM Dome of the Rock Western Wall Access through Ethiopian Monastery to Holy Sepulchre now barred The Crucifixion The final four stations are 11, Jesus’s crucifixion; 12, death on the cross; 13, removal from the cross; and 14, burial. Some pilgrims assign a 15th station to Jesus’s resurrection Golgotha: Site outside ancient city walls served as stone quarry, execution and burial site from 1000BC, corroborating its authenticity Tomb Golgotha Golgotha and the tomb of Christ Constantine’s Basilica: Jesus’s tomb uncovered during construction in 325AD Tomb Church of the Holy Sepulchre Basilica and chapels united under one roof 33AD Crucifixion of Jesus 70AD Jewish Revolt: Romans destroy city 135AD Reconstruction: Hadrian has ground levelled to build Temple of Aphrodite 323AD Byzantine period Under Emperor Constantine, becomes Christian city 1149AD Crusader period: Church restored and dedicated after Christians recapture city, ending 400 years of Muslim rule Sources: Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem, Baedeker’s Guide, Everyman Guide to the Holy Land © GRAPHIC NEWS