The Armenian Museum
Opened in 2022, the Armenian Museum in Jerusalem is housed in a 200-year-old seminary that once sheltered Armenian Genocide orphans. Located in Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter, it showcases 1,600 years of Armenian art, culture, and history in the Holy Land.
The museum’s collection spans over 25,000 artifacts, gifted to the Armenian monastery over more than a millennium. Three renowned French Armenian scholars led the curation effort, selecting items that best tell the story of Jerusalem’s Armenian community. The museum chronicles the city’s transformations through various historical periods, from Roman to British Mandate eras. Highlights of the collection include ancient manuscripts, an Armenian printing press from 1833, and a large-scale Armenian mosaic floor.
The Mosaic to the “Unknown Armenian Soldier”
At the heart of the Armenian Museum of Jerusalem lies a stunning 5th/6th century Byzantine mosaic, found near Damascus Gate. This centerpiece bears an Armenian inscription: “To the memory, and for the salvation, of all those Armenians whose names are known to the Lord.” Beneath the mosaic, excavators discovered human bones, believed to belong to Armenian soldiers killed in a 451 CE battle against the Persians. This combination of mosaic and remains is considered possibly the first memorial to the unknown soldier. Aside the inscription, the mosaic features 40 types of birds, vine shoots, and the tree of life, symbolizing Christian themes of resurrection and sacrifice.
The Museum and the Armenian Genocide
The museum also tells the tragic story of the Armenian Genocide. It displays documents, images, and descriptions of victims and survivors, including a poignant photograph of emaciated Armenian children found in the Syrian desert between 1918 and 1920. The Armenian Quarter played a crucial role in this period, sheltering over 4,000 Armenian refugees, including 800 orphans.
The Armenians and Jerusalem
Armenians have had a presence in Jerusalem since the 1st century BC, with their community growing significantly after Armenia’s adoption of Christianity around 301 AD. By the 7th century, 72 Armenian monasteries and churches had been established in Jerusalem. The museum houses important historical documents, including an order from Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi protecting Armenians and a copy of the Covenant of Prophet Muhammad respecting the Armenian Patriarch.
Other notable exhibits include miniatures by Armenian manuscript illuminator Toros Roslin, a garment made from Napoleon’s tent, and various artifacts such as ceramics, crosses, embroidery, and ancient maps. The museum also highlights the Armenian community’s contributions to Jerusalem, including being the first to bring photography to the city (cf. Photo Elia)
The Armenian Quarter, which houses the museum, has remained in the southwest of Jerusalem’s Old City since 638 AD. Despite dwindling numbers following the 1948 War, the community has maintained its presence in Jerusalem. The Armenian Museum serves as a testament to their enduring connection to the Holy Land, preserving their rich cultural heritage and contributions to Jerusalem’s diverse history.
The museum’s general manager, Tzoghig Aintablian Karakashian, emphasizes its significance in demonstrating “the existence and importance of the Armenians in Jerusalem from the years before Christ to the present.” As the museum continues to expand, it promises to offer visitors a unique and valuable perspective on Jerusalem’s complex historical tapestry through the lens of its Armenian community.
A tour of the Armenian Museum in Jerusalem can be combined in a guided day tour of Jerusalem.
