The Chapel of the Finding of the Cross is a crypt in the eastern wing of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to local tradition, a piece of Jesus’ cross was discovered here.

History of the Cross

Many legends developed over the origin of the cross, as well as its fate. Perhaps the most famous legend claimed that Queen Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, found a piece of the cross stashed in a cave near the Golgotha. Known as the True Cross, the relic was exhibited at the church for several centuries, but in 614 AD, the Persians confiscated it. Later, byzantine king Hercalius redeemed it, but in 1187 AD, Saladin seized it again. Since then, it disappeared. In the Middle Ages, a tradition developed that the wooden relic was discovered in a crypt in the eastern wing of the church. The research on this crypt is limited, but so far, it has indicated that it was formerly a quarry and later a water reservoir.

Visiting the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross

The Chapel of the finding of the Cross is accessed from within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is shared control by the Catholic and the Greek-Orthodox Church, while the stairs leading to it pass through an Armenian chapel.

Visiting the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross can be can be integrated into a day tour of Jerusalem.