The Via Dolorosa, 'Way of Suffering', (طريق الآلام) is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The winding route from the former Antonia Fortress, now al-Umariyya School, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — a distance of about 600 metres (2,000 feet) is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage.
The current route has been established since the 18th century, replacing various earlier versions. The processional was is called by several names, most commonly known naes are "Way of Grief", "Way of Sorrow", "Way of Suffering" or simply "Painful Way".
circa 150-1750 CE
Stations of Via Dolorosa
Traditionally, the modern day route of the Via Dolorosa includes 14 stations of the Cross, beginning at the site believed to be the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was purportedly condemned by Pontius Pilate, and ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where he was crucified and buried. The current route, established by the Franciscans in the 18th century CE, reflects both tradition and historical speculation; it has been adjusted over centuries as different Christian communities sought to honor various aspects of the Passion narrative. Key stations include places where Jesus fell, met his mother, received help from Simon of Cyrene, and spoke to the women of Jerusalem. The Via Dolorosa remains an important pilgrimage route, drawing visitors who reflect on each station's significance in Jesus' final hours.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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