Church of the Flagellation

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The Church of the Flagellation is a Roman Catholic church located in the eastern or old section of Jerusalem, near the Saint Stephen's Gate. Also included in this complex are the Franciscan Monestary of the Flagellation, and the Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross.

According to tradition the church enshrines the spot where Jesus Christ was flogged by Roman soldiers before his journey down the Via Dolorosa to Calvary.

The original structure was built in 1839 over the remains of a medieval crusader shrine. During the Ottoman period this early shrine and its surrounding buildings were reportedly used as stables, and later as private houses. The whole complex was eventually given to the Franciscans by Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt in the 19th century.

[edit] Design and construction

The current church was completed between 1927 and 1929 and was a complete reconstruction of the original shrine.

The interior of the church consists of a single aisle. Some noteworthy points of interest include the church's three stained glass windows, each depicting a different aspect of the church's Biblical history, and the church's mosaic-clad golden dome. The first window depicts Pontius Pilate washing his hands (Matthew 27:24), the second the Flagellation (Mark 15:15, John 19:1), and the third the victory of Barabbas (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:24-25). The mosaic of the dome is designed as a crown of thorns.

The architect of the churches reconstruction was Antonio Barluzzi. Barluzzi, the architect of several shrines and sanctuaries built during the first half of the 20th century is also known for some of his other works in Jerusalem, such as the sanctuary church of Dominus Flevit on the Mount of Olives, the Basilica of the Agony at Gethsemane, and the Church of the Visitation at Ein Karem. St. Lazarus' in Bethany, is another example of Barluzzi’s designs.

The church is currently held in trust by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.