The Miriam Arch

This arch is decorated with a “pillow” decoration, located in the Christian Quarter Road, at the heart of the Christian Quarter. The arch is known as “Miriam Arch”, named after Miriam, mother of Jesus, and, during the crusader era, it bordered a western entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. From this opening, one can walk directly to the Rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the round building with the dome around the grave of Jesus. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is located behind the shops in the Christian Quarter Road. The “pillow” decoration is characteristic of the crusader era, the arch being built of small chiseled pillow-like stones placed upon each other. “Pillow” arches can be seen also on the impressive entrance gates of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The other side of the arch is located within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, in the part that is in the hands of the Catholics. In front of the arch lays the Greek Monastery Street, and on both sides of this street lay the plots of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Above the Christian Quarter Road there are arches, which connect the patriarchate with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and enable the patriarchate direct access from its plot to the boundaries of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.