Via Dolorosa- The Holiest Route to Visit
Pilgrimage is one of the great ways to show the deep devotion of Christians to the religion and Via Dolorosa is a famous route for such religious activity. The Via Dolorosa, also known as the “Way of Suffering”, is a series of 14 Stations that commemorate Jesus’s journey from Pontius Pilate’s praetorium to his tomb, with the remaining five being inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
This winding path from the ancient Antonia Fortress towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is often regarded as one of the holiest places on the planet. It begins with a long journey through winding streets, past shops and restaurants, until it opens up into a beautiful square where visitors can see both sites at once.
The current route of Via Dolorosa has been in place for over 200 years, replacing a number of different versions which were abandoned due to lack of support. It is now considered the most popular tourist destination in Jerusalem, with millions of visitors from all faiths making the pilgrimage each year.
The Via Dolorosa is a route that goes through several streets. One of the main segments is the remnant of the ancient Decumanus Maximus, a route that Hadrian built through the Roman city of Aelia Capitolina.
This path leads to fourteen shrines dedicated to events from the New Testament and Christian tradition that are often emphasized by different Christian denominations. For example, some Protestant churches may pay more attention to the Stations of the Cross, while others might honor the stations that commemorate Jesus’ mother Mary.
There are many different chapels that can be found at the various Stations of the Cross throughout Jerusalem, two of which are open to the public every day. These two chapels, located at the beginning of Via Dolorosa (8-12 am, 2-5 pm) are worth visiting before starting your pilgrimage through Way of the Cross.
Have you ever experienced doing a pilgrimage in the famous route of Via Dolorosa? If yes, you can share your unique journey on the comment.
