The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the most important of all the Christian holy sites in this country. In his book, The Life of Constantine, Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century, describes in detail the church’s construction. First, the pagan temple that stood at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb was torn down, and on the orders of the Emperor, a three-part church was built in its place: in the west – the tomb (which was later enclosed by a spacious rotunda); in the center of the complex – a courtyard surrounded by columns, in the corner of which was the rock of Gologtha (the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion) surmounted by a large cross; and in the east – a huge basilica (the Martyrion), which was entered from the cardo – the main street. Early Christian pilgrims tell of a cave within the area of the basilica in which remains from the “True Cross” on which Jesus was crucified were found.

Parts of the church complex have remained unchanged since Byzantine times, while others have been altered, particularly by the Crusaders. The reconstruction of the church as it appeared in the Byzantine period, together with its furnishings and decorations, is based on both archaeological evidence and on literary accounts from that time, as well as wall mosaics that have survived elsewhere, mainly in the churches of Ravenna and Rome in Italy.

Reconstruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the 6th century, exterior view
Drawing: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem / by Balage

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