Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This is the most likely site for the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The location was supported by oral tradition and became a consistent place of worship in the first century. Hadrian attempted to stop Christians from worshiping by tearing down an early church and having a pagan temple built in its place. In addition, there are first century tombs on the site that match the Biblical description.

Today, numerous Christian denominations share the church under the Status Quo agreement for religious sites in Jerusalem. The ladder by the right-hand window is a symbol of Status Quo. It wasn't mentioned in the agreement, so no one can move it. The key to the church was placed in the custody of two Muslim families by Saladin in 1192 when the Status Quo was enacted. Since then, they have locked and unlocked the church each day.Read more