Flagelation Monastery

In the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, within the Muslim Quarter, is the Roman Catholic Church of the Flagellation. The Church is part of a Franciscan compound, also the site of a monastery and the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition. The Church of the Flagellation is, according to tradition, built on the site where Jesus was flogged by Roman soldiers after Pontius Pilate passed his judgement and sentenced him to death. Visitors will see a metal plate on the wall of the compound reading ‘Station II.’ This indicates that the compound is the second Station of the Cross or Via Dolorosa, a fourteen-station route which marks the path of Jesus through Jerusalem from His condemnation to His entombment. The second station denotes the location it is believed that Jesus was made to bear the cross. The site is administered by the Franciscan order of the Roman Catholic Church, who were established by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 12th century and given the official role of custodians of the Holy places in 1342 by Pope Clement VI. During the 12th century, the Crusaders built a shrine on the site, but after their defeat, it lay in disrepair for many centuries. During the Ottoman period, the site was used as stables and later private homes. The area was given to the Franciscans in 1838 by Egyptian General Ibrahim Pasha, during a brief period of Egyptian rule between 1832 and 1841. The first church on the site was built over the ruins of the Crusader shrine in 1839 thanks to the financial support of Duke Maximilian of Bavaria. In 1929, the entire church was renovated and rebuilt under the direction of renowned Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. This church, modeled on the 12th century medieval style, still stands today. Through Lion’s Gate, past the Church of Saint Anne, is the entrance to the Franciscan compound containing the Church of the Flagellation. Once inside, the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition is to the left and the Church of the Flagellation is located on the right or east side of the courtyard. Upon entering the church, visitors are greeted by intricate mosaic floors running down the central aisle. Looking up, three astonishing stained-glass windows surround the alter illustrating scenes from the Trial of Jesus. The window on the left depicts Pontius Pilate washing his hands, the central window depicts the flogging of Jesus, and the right window shows Barrabbas overjoyed with his release. The dome of the church is a golden mosaic featuring a crown of thorns. The Church of the Flagellation is open daily for visitors and pilgrims. Within the compound, visitors can tour both the Church of Flagellation and the Church of Condemnation. The site is also the location of the Terra Sancta Museum, displaying archaeological finds from throughout the Holy Land. For those interested in an impactful religious experience, each Friday afternoon, the Franciscans lead a solemn procession through the Old City marking the Stations of the Cross. Beginning near Lion’s Gate at the Madrasa el-Omariyya and passing by the Church of Flagellation, worshippers walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ from his judgement to this crucifixion. The church is also very close to many other sites believed to be associated with the death of Jesus, including the Praetorium and Ecce Homo Arch. From a religious, archaeological, or architectural point of view, the Church of the Flagellation is not to be missed.