Via Dolorosa Street

Via Dolorosa is a narrow, winding stone route through the Old City, marked by nine distinct stations of the cross, with five more located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Pilgrims have walked this path since at least the fourteenth century, mapping the traditional journey Jesus took toward his crucifixion. Franciscans formalized the route, drawing on earlier traditions to shape the stations visitors follow today. The stone walls bear heavy iron rings that date back to when local residents tied their pack animals here.