Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, Jerusalem
Around a five-minute walk from the Zion Gate, on the slopes overlooking the City of David, this church commemorates the site where Jesus is believed to have been imprisoned by the High Priest Caiaphas, and where Peter famously denied knowing him, thus fulfilling the prophecy "Before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice". As it happens, the Latin term "gallincantu" stands for "cock-crow" and, fittingly, atop the church is a rooster to remind of the event.
Raised in 1931 on the former site of Byzantine and Crusader structures, the church's pretty white stone exterior belies its ancient grottos where Peter and John were allegedly held for preaching at the Temple following the Resurrection; also, nearby underground, the "Sacred Pit" uncovered in 1889, where Christ is said to have been held overnight awaiting trial before Pontius Pilate. A visit here is very sobering, especially to see the iron loops and whittled-out holes in the rock from which rope would have hung and the prisoners strung up.
Among other archaeological finds upon the church grounds is an ancient staircase running down the mountain slope and covered in mosaic – many Christians believe Jesus walked down these "Holy Stairs" the night of his arrest. The large model of what Jerusalem may have looked like in Byzantine times is worth a few minutes as well.
The modern church is decorated in blue, with large, multi-colored mosaics portraying figures from the New Testament and a beautiful ceiling dominated by a huge cross-shaped window designed in a variety of colors. The property also includes amenities such as a well-stocked gift shop, clean bathrooms, and a small cafe.
Raised in 1931 on the former site of Byzantine and Crusader structures, the church's pretty white stone exterior belies its ancient grottos where Peter and John were allegedly held for preaching at the Temple following the Resurrection; also, nearby underground, the "Sacred Pit" uncovered in 1889, where Christ is said to have been held overnight awaiting trial before Pontius Pilate. A visit here is very sobering, especially to see the iron loops and whittled-out holes in the rock from which rope would have hung and the prisoners strung up.
Among other archaeological finds upon the church grounds is an ancient staircase running down the mountain slope and covered in mosaic – many Christians believe Jesus walked down these "Holy Stairs" the night of his arrest. The large model of what Jerusalem may have looked like in Byzantine times is worth a few minutes as well.
The modern church is decorated in blue, with large, multi-colored mosaics portraying figures from the New Testament and a beautiful ceiling dominated by a huge cross-shaped window designed in a variety of colors. The property also includes amenities such as a well-stocked gift shop, clean bathrooms, and a small cafe.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Jerusalem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu on Map
Sight Name: Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Jerusalem, Israel
Create Your Own Walk in Jerusalem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Jerusalem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Christian Quarter Walking Tour
One of the epicenters of worldwide Christianity, the Christian Quarter is the 2nd-largest of Jerusalem’s four ancient quarters. A fascinating place to stroll through, it covers the Old City’s northwestern part, just beyond Jaffa Gate – the traditional pilgrim’s entrance to Jerusalem and a prime destination for most visitors.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Mount Zion Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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Historians believe that the Old City of Jerusalem probably came into being more than 4,500 years ago. The defensive wall around it features a number of gates built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the first half of the 16th century, each of which is an attraction in its own right. Until as recently as 1870, they were all closed from sunset to sunrise; nowadays, just... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Muslim Quarter & Temple Mount Tour
The largest, most populous and perhaps most chaotic of all Jerusalem’s quarters, the Muslim Quarter is worth exploring for its unique atmosphere. Spending a day here may take you back to a simpler time, but be prepared for many sights and sounds as you pass many vendors, stores and restaurants on your way from site to site.
Some of the city’s most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Armenian Quarter Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Bethlehem Walking Tour
Perched on a hill at the edge of the Judaean Desert, Bethlehem has been known to the world, for more than two millennia, as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The “star of Bethlehem” as well as Christmas carols and hymns are firmly associated with this ancient city in the West Bank, Palestine, and thus, for some visitors, the bustle of a modern city may come as a surprise.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Undoubtedly, the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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