The Church of The Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem - Photography Herbert Bishko
01-037 The Holy Sepulchre Church marks the traditional site where Jesus was crucified, buried, ressurected. This is one of Christendoms Holiest Shrines.
01-037 The Holy Sepulchre Church marks the traditional site where Jesus was crucified, buried, ressurected. This is one of Christendoms Holiest Shrines.

 02-277 Visiting pilgrims & prelates from every corner of the globe throng the courtyard of The Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City Jerusalem.
02-277 Visiting pilgrims & prelates from every corner of the globe throng the courtyard of The Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City Jerusalem.

 02a-263 Cross-carrying pilgrims from the Phillipnes set out from the Station IX on their way into the Church following in the footsteps of Jesus.
02a-263 Cross-carrying pilgrims from the Phillipnes set out from the Station IX on their way into the Church following in the footsteps of Jesus.

 02b-273 Before entering the church pilgrims receive a short historical and biblical briefing from their guide.
02b-273 Before entering the church pilgrims receive a short historical and biblical briefing from their guide.

 03-239 Right of Entry - the key to the church's ancient wooden doorway has been in Muslim hands ever since Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187.
03-239 Right of Entry - the key to the church's ancient wooden doorway has been in Muslim hands ever since Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187.

 04-106 just opposite the entrance is an impressive Mosaic showing Jesus being annointed before burial in the nearby sepulchre (tomb).
04-106 just opposite the entrance is an impressive Mosaic showing Jesus being annointed before burial in the nearby sepulchre (tomb).
05-102 Pilgrims at prayer around the Stone of Unction (annointing) where Jesus' body was prepared for burial.
05-102 Pilgrims at prayer around the Stone of Unction (annointing) where Jesus' body was prepared for burial.

 05a-113 A colorful group of pilgrims jostle for prayer and for perfect camera positioning around the much venerated Stone of Unction.
05a-113 A colorful group of pilgrims jostle for prayer and for perfect camera positioning around the much venerated Stone of Unction.

 07-089 The Hill of Calvary (Golgotha), lies south the Stone of Unction and is now fully enclosed in the massive structures of the the Holy Sepulchre Church.
07-089 The Hill of Calvary (Golgotha), lies south the Stone of Unction and is now fully enclosed in the massive structures of the the Holy Sepulchre Church.

 08-195 Via Dolorosa Stations 10 & 11. A small ornate Latin Chapel marks the spot where Jesus was stripped and nailed to the cross.
08-195 Via Dolorosa Stations 10 & 11. A small ornate Latin Chapel marks the spot where Jesus was stripped and nailed to the cross.

 09-217 Stations 12 & 13, Ornate Mosaics and splendid oil lamps are part of the rich decoration of the chapel marking the site of Jesus' crucifixon and death.
09-217 Stations 12 & 13, Ornate Mosaics and splendid oil lamps are part of the rich decoration of the chapel marking the site of Jesus' crucifixon and death.

 10-227 Station 12. A richly decorated Greek Orthodox Chapel marks the actual spot on Calvary where Jesus was nailed to the cross.
10-227 Station 12. A richly decorated Greek Orthodox Chapel marks the actual spot on Calvary where Jesus was nailed to the cross.
11-049 The Katholicon is a large Greek Orthodox Church situated between Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. Medieval cartographers marked this spot as the center of the world.
11-049 The Katholicon is a large Greek Orthodox Church situated between Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. Medieval cartographers marked this spot as the center of the world.

 12-049 The impressive dome of the Katholicon shows Jesus surrounded by the apostles and other Gospel persona associated with his ministry.
12-049 The impressive dome of the Katholicon shows Jesus surrounded by the apostles and other Gospel persona associated with his ministry.

 13-073 Pilgrims queue patiently to enter the Holy Sepulchre itself which is at the center of the Rotunda, a large hall supported by 18 massive columns.
13-073 Pilgrims queue patiently to enter the Holy Sepulchre itself which is at the center of the Rotunda, a large hall supported by 18 massive columns.

 14-069 Station XIV. The traditional site of Jesus' Burial & Resurection lies within a grand Muscovite Style Tomb at the center of the Rotunda.
14-069 Station XIV. The traditional site of Jesus' Burial & Resurection lies within a grand Muscovite Style Tomb at the center of the Rotunda.

 15-080 Access to the actual stones of the Holy Sepulchre can be gained through a small Syrian Jacobite Shrine.
15-080 Access to the actual stones of the Holy Sepulchre can be gained through a small Syrian Jacobite Shrine.

 16-190 North of the Rotunda is the Latin Church of Mary Magdalene commeorating the meeting of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection. Herein are kept the sword and spurs of Crusader king Godfrey de Buollion in addition to other historical items.
16-190 North of the Rotunda is the Latin Church of Mary Magdalene commeorating the meeting of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection. Herein are kept the sword and spurs of Crusader king Godfrey de Buollion in addition to other historical items.
17-123 Ancient passageways and dusty halls within the church lead to a flight of steps that descend to the Armenian Chapel of St. Helena.
17-123 Ancient passageways and dusty halls within the church lead to a flight of steps that descend to the Armenian Chapel of St. Helena.

 18-133 St Helena's Chapel is an Armenian shrine dedicated to Queen Helena who traditionally found the Original Cross in an ancient nearby water cistern in 326 CE.
18-133 St Helena's Chapel is an Armenian shrine dedicated to Queen Helena who traditionally found the Original Cross in an ancient nearby water cistern in 326 CE.

 19-134 Beautiful mosaics cover the floors of St Helena's Chapel depicting holy-land flora, fauna and major Armenian churches.
19-134 Beautiful mosaics cover the floors of St Helena's Chapel depicting holy-land flora, fauna and major Armenian churches.

 20-136 St Helena Chapel is rich in ancient iconic artworks and artifacts.
20-136 St Helena Chapel is rich in ancient iconic artworks and artifacts.

 21-138 More magnificent artworks within St Helena Chapel Artworks depicting a historical church scene.
21-138 More magnificent artworks within St Helena Chapel Artworks depicting a historical church scene.

 22-166 Pilgrims, in this case from Russia, visit within St Helen's Chapel.
22-166 Pilgrims, in this case from Russia, visit within St Helen's Chapel.
23- 148 St Helenas Chapel Dome with its baroque furnishings and medieval paintings.
23- 148 St Helenas Chapel Dome with its baroque furnishings and medieval paintings.

 24-152 Late afternoon sunlight streaming into the incense-filled interior of St Helena's Chapel.
24-152 Late afternoon sunlight streaming into the incense-filled interior of St Helena's Chapel.

 25-143 Steps from St Helenas Chapel lead down to the Latin Chapel of the Finding of the Cross which was originally a water-cistern where the Original Cross was found by Helena.
25-143 Steps from St Helenas Chapel lead down to the Latin Chapel of the Finding of the Cross which was originally a water-cistern where the Original Cross was found by Helena.

 26-242 A small Jacobite Chapel leads of the roof courtyard above St. Helenas Chapel.
26-242 A small Jacobite Chapel leads of the roof courtyard above St. Helenas Chapel.

 27- 249.The courtyard above St. Helena's chapel. The spire in the background belongs to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
27- 249.The courtyard above St. Helena's chapel. The spire in the background belongs to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.

 28- 244 Outside their humble quarters, Ethiopian monks enjoy a moment's calm in in the fading light of late afternoon.
28- 244 Outside their humble quarters, Ethiopian monks enjoy a moment's calm in in the fading light of late afternoon.
29-251 A small Jacobite shrine lies at the door to a flight of stairs leading to an ancient water cistern.
29-251 A small Jacobite shrine lies at the door to a flight of stairs leading to an ancient water cistern.

 30-257 A damp rock-hewn flight of steps leads to an ancient water cistern.
30-257 A damp rock-hewn flight of steps leads to an ancient water cistern.

 31-253 The impressive 1,700 year-old rock-hewn cistern east of the church, though still collecting rain-water, is no longer in use.
31-253 The impressive 1,700 year-old rock-hewn cistern east of the church, though still collecting rain-water, is no longer in use.

 32-295 Upon leaving the Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City one has to pass through colorful oriental shopping alleys.
32-295 Upon leaving the Holy Sepulchre Church in the Old City one has to pass through colorful oriental shopping alleys.

 33-300 Baubles, bangles and beads in sale in shop in Jerusalem's Old City 'Suk'.
33-300 Baubles, bangles and beads in sale in shop in Jerusalem's Old City 'Suk'.

 34-310 Passing through Jaffa Gate with it's David Towerl landmark leads to the New City of Jerusalem in the west.
34-310 Passing through Jaffa Gate with it's David Towerl landmark leads to the New City of Jerusalem in the west.

© Herbert Bishko, Professional Photography in Israel, 03-6417810