The Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem’s Old City sits on the Via Dolorosa (“Way of Sorrow”), the path, according to tradition, that Jesus walked before his crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa begins at the Antonia Fortress just inside the Lions’ Gate and ends at Golgotha, located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For centuries, Christian pilgrims have walked this path (or similar pathways, since the current route was established only in the 18th century) and stopped at the various Stations of the Cross.
Now the Terra Sancta Museum offers a new stop on this old way. The museum is situated inside the Monastery of the Flagellation, which is associated with the Antonia Fortress (a military tower) and Pontius Pilate’s residence (the Praetorium),1 where Jesus was tried, flogged and sentenced to death. Some quarters of the Monastery are being renovated and unveiled to the public for the first time as part of three new wings in the museum.
The first wing to open is a multimedia experience that invites visitors to explore the history of Jerusalem. Lights, images and a series of narrators guide visitors through the exhibit—highlighting the various artifacts and architectural remains on display. The narrative focuses on Jerusalem during the Roman period and on the roots of Christianity, but it addresses earlier and later times in Jerusalem’s history as well.
Two additional new wings—an archaeological wing and historical wing—will open at the Terra Sancta Museum in the near future. The archaeological wing will feature artifacts from Jerusalem and all over the ancient Near East, and the historical wing will tell the story of the Franciscans’ involvement in the Holy Land. The three new wings commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan presence in Jerusalem—a worthy cause of celebration.
The Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem’s Old City sits on the Via Dolorosa (“Way of Sorrow”), the path, according to tradition, that Jesus walked before his crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa begins at the Antonia Fortress just inside the Lions’ Gate and ends at Golgotha, located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For centuries, Christian pilgrims have walked this path (or similar pathways, since the current route was established only in the 18th century) and stopped at the various Stations of the Cross. Now the Terra Sancta Museum offers a new stop on this old way. The museum is […]
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1.
The location of the Praetorium is debated. Recent excavations have exposed part of King Herod’s palace in northern Jerusalem, which many scholars consider a strong candidate for the Praetorium. It seems likely that Pilate would have preferred this large compound for his residence rather than the smaller Antonia Fortress. See Robin Ngo, “Tour Showcases Remains of Herod’s Jerusalem Palace—Possible Site of the Trial of Jesus,” Bible History Daily (blog), originally published on January 8, 2015.
