The Convent of the Sisters of Zion- the Ecce Homo Convent

This is a Catholic nunnery, housing a hospice and an international learning center. Its construction was completed in 1860. The convent was founded by the converted Jew Alphonse Ratisbonne, founder of sisterhood “Our Lady of Zion”. Ratisbonne and his brother Theodor established in Jerusalem two additional monasteries, one in Ein Karem, and the other in the margins of Rechavia neighborhood. The Sisters of Zion see their aim as being the promotion of justice and understanding with the Jewish people.

Under the monastery, in a large underground hall, there is a large water pool carved in the stone. This is part of the Struthion Pool (the Greek word for “lark”, Probably due to the fact that it was relatively smaller than other pools in Jerusalem). This pool was built during the Second Temple era, north of the Antonia Fortress, in the moat that protected it, and also served as its water source.

The pool was unroofed, but after the failure of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 135 AD, when Jerusalem became a pagan Roman city during the days of Adrianus Caesar, a dome was added to cover the pool. A big stone-paved courtyard was built above the dome. The remnants of this courtyard are also located under the Convent of the Sisters of Zion. Remnants of the Roman victory gate were integrated into the monastic church, which was probably also built during the era of Adrianus Caesar. The entrance into the archeological remnants is with payment.