The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This is the traditional site of Jesus'crucifixion, tomb and resurrection. Helena, Constantine's mother, identified this as the site based on oral traditions and information she received. She caused the original church to be built. While originally this was several chapels all near each other, today it is a single building that incorporates the area from Golgotha to the tomb with it's different elevations.
The 1st picture is upstairs on the higher ground of Golgotha where the crucifixion took place. Under the altar table where someone is kneeling is said to be the actual rocky outcrop where the cross was placed. That and to either side appear to have 3 notches to hold the uprights of the crosses.
The 2nd picture is down one level and is said to be the spot where Jesus was prepared for the tomb after being taken down from the cross. The marble slab here is not original as the original was being chipped away by pilgrims. This is located immediately inside the main entrance with the mosaic in the 3rd picture behind it. This mosaic follows Jesus as he is taken from the cross, prepared for burial and carried to the tomb.
The 4th picture is the Aedicula that sits atop the tomb site. It is a small structure that has, like the church itself, been damaged and renovated many times.
Inside the Aedicula is the tomb shown on n the 5th picture. I had the unusual opportunity for a private visit. The marble slab is not original. It, too was placed to stop damage by pilgrims. However, during the recent renovation, they found the original limestone shelf to be in tact under the marble.
The last picture is in another of the chapels included in the building.Read more