A historical place... Jerusalem, the old city... What else can I write? Even if you are far from religion, this place cannot be ignored if you manage to get to Israel
Immediately behind the main entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the right, two staircases lead up to Golgotha.
Golgotha is a small rock or hill where Jesus Christ was crucified. Along with the Holy Sepulchre, it is one of the two main shrines of Christianity.According to tradition, at the beginning of the first century. Golgotha was located outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Today it is part of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
It is believed that Golgotha owes its name to the skulls that were formed at the place of execution of criminals in ancient Jerusalem. There is also a legend that Adam was buried at the site of Golgotha.
The space on Golgotha is divided between three altars: the Altar of the Crucifixion, the Altar of Nails and the Altar of the Stabat Mater.
The altar of the crucifixion, belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. This altar is located above the rock where the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified was placed.
Around the altar, under the glass, you can see the surface of Golgotha.There is an opening under the altar where you can put your hand down and touch the rock exactly in the place where the cross with Christ crucified on it stood.
Here is the XII standing of the Way of the Cross.
The altar of nails is located to the right of the Altar of the Crucifixion. At this point, the soldiers tore off Christ's clothes and played dice with them. After that, here they nailed Jesus Christ to the Cross. The altar of nails belong to the Franciscan Catholic Order.
Here are the X standing and the XI standing of the Way of the Cross.
The small Catholic altar of the "Stabat Mater" - the Standing of the Virgin, is located between the altars of the Crucifixion and Nails.
He marks the place where, according to legend, the Mother of God stood at the Crucifixion of her Son at the base of the Cross.
Above the altar stands a carved wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, presented in 1778 by the Queen of Portugal and brought from Lisbon. Nearby you can see a lot of jewelry donated by pilgrims.
The XIII standing of the Way of the Cross is located here.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where the Holy Fire lights up on Easter) is perhaps the most visited place by pilgrims and tourists visiting the Holy Land...And that's the way it is...and it will be...