Apse Marking Jesus’ Crucifixion

April 14, 2023

The best evidence points to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher as marking the location of Jesus’ entombment and resurrection.

Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

The Roman Emperor Hadrian (r. 117-138 AD) built a temple devoted to Jupiter over the site venerated as Jesus’ tomb. Later Constantine (r. 306-337 AD) ordered Hadrian’s temple to be destroyed and ordered that a church be built over Jesus’ tomb. Despite the years of destruction and rebuilding, enough remains from earlier structures to provide a plan of Constantine’s buildings.

The site of the crucifixion itself is thought to be very near the place of Jesus’ entombment. Previously Hadrian had erected a Venus statue over Golgotha, ironically marking the spot! Constantine constructed the Martyrium Church over the site of the crucifixion itself.

Apse Marking Golgotha, site Crucifixion. Photo ©Leon Mauldin.

This Apse at center, in front of dome with gold cross in background, is thought to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.

A second site proposed for Jesus’ crucifixion is Gordon’s Calvary, but evidence is lacking. See my post here.

Click photos for larger view.


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