Tucked away within the Alexander Nevsky Church compound in Jerusalem’s Old City lies a small but remarkable museum that tells the fascinating story of Russian presence in the Holy Land. Located near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this small museum occupies two rooms artifacts discovered since the Russian started developing the area.

History of the Museum

When the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society began construction of the Alexander Nevsky Church in 1883 various items were unearthed in the excavations. Eventually the church decided to display the finds together with items reflecting the church’s history.

Touring the Museum

The museum’s collection, though modest in size, is quite diverse. It includes architectural fragments, pottery, and other artifacts that span multiple periods of Jerusalem’s history. The museum also houses documents and photographs chronicling the Russian archaeological expeditions and the construction of the church complex. Of special interest are several heavy and uncomfortable iron restraints that monks or pilgrims deliberately wore to mortify themselves. There is also a box displaying various relics. According to the accompanying text, some are remains of Saint Peter, Mary Magdalene, as well as a part of the veil of Mary, mother of Jesus.

Today, this lesser-known museum continues to be maintained by the Russian Orthodox Church and offers visitors a unique glimpse into both Jerusalem’s ancient past and Russia’s historical connection to the Holy Land. Despite its historical importance, it remains one of Jerusalem’s hidden gems, often overlooked by tourists visiting the more famous sites nearby.