The identification of the Via Dolorosa with the ancient “Way of Sorrows” walked by Christ on the way to his Crucifixion has more to do with religious tradition than historical fact. It nevertheless continues to draw huge numbers of pilgrims every day. The streets through which they walk are much like any others in the Muslim Quarter, lined with small shops and stalls, but the route is marked out by 14 “Stations of the Cross”, linked with events that occurred on Christ’s last, fateful walk. Some of the Stations are commemorated only by wall plaques, which can be difficult to spot among the religious souvenir stalls. Others are located inside buildings. The last five Stations are all within the Holy Sepulchre church.

Friday is the main day for pilgrims, when, at 3pm, the Franciscans lead a procession along the route.

In fact, the more likely route for the original Via Dolorosa begins at what is now the Citadel but was at the time the royal palace. This is where Pontius Pilate resided when in Jerusalem, making it a more likely location for the trial of Christ. From here, the condemned would probably have been led down what is now David Street, through the present-day Central Souk, out of the then city gate and to the hill of Golgotha, the presumed site of which is now occupied by the Holy Sepulchre church.