The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is widely considered the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, making it one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in Christendom since the 4th century.
The current structure is a complex architectural amalgamation resulting from centuries of destruction, reconstruction, and expansion. It houses the Aedicule, a small shrine enclosing the traditional site of the tomb, and the Rock of Calvary, where the crucifixion is believed to have occurred. The site is jointly managed by several Christian denominations under a strict status quo agreement.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Limestone, Marble, Wood
- Civilization
- Byzantine, Crusader
- Accessibility
- Limited; uneven stone floors and narrow passages
- Date(s)
- 325-335 CE (original); 1149 CE (current main structure)
- Condition
- Active, multi-denominational place of worship
- Original Function
- Christian pilgrimage site and basilica
- Key Figures
- Saint Helena, Constantine the Great, Queen Melisende
Constantinian Foundation
4th century CEFollowing the Council of Nicaea, Emperor Constantine the Great ordered the construction of a church over the site identified by his mother, Saint Helena, as the tomb of Jesus. The original complex included a rotunda and a basilica.
Destruction and Reconstruction
1009-1149 CEThe original structures were largely destroyed by the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah in 1009. The site was partially rebuilt by the Byzantines, but the current Romanesque structure was primarily established by the Crusaders in the 12th century.
Status Quo and Modern Era
18th century - presentThe 'Status Quo' agreement, formalized in the 18th and 19th centuries, dictates the rights and responsibilities of the various denominations—primarily the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches—who share custody of the building.