The placement of the last five stations inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also contested by those who believe that from where Via Dolorosa ends, the route was likely to have continued north toward the skull-shaped Garden Tomb, since the crucifixion took place on a hill called Golgotha, meaning “place of the skull.” On Fridays at 4pm (Sept.-June 3pm), Franciscan monks lead a procession of pilgrims (which you may join) from Al-Omariyeh College.

Along the Via Dolorosa from St. Stephens Gate, you’ll first see the Church of St. Anne on your right. Commemorating the birthplace of Jesus’ mother Mary, the church is one of the best preserved examples of Crusader architecture in Israel. The church survived intact throughout the Islamic period because Salah ad-Din used it as a Muslim theological school, hence the Arabic inscription on the tympanum above the church doors. Tradition runs deep here: the simple, solemn, citadel-like structure stands over the ruins of a 5th-century basilica that, in turn, is believed to cover a 2nd- or 3rd-century chapel. The church is tilted to one side, symbolizing the crucifixion.

Within the grounds is the Pool of Bethesda, which served as the water source for the temple. Crowds of the infirm used to wait beside the pool for an angel to disturb its waters, which explained the pool’s periodic gushing; the first person in after jte angel would supposedly be cured. Jesus is believed to have healed a paralytic here as well. Also worth noting are the remains of a Byzantine cistern and the facade ** a Crusader chapel. (Church and grounds open Mon.-Sat. 8am-noon and 2-5pm;