Monastery of the Cross, Jerusalem

Enclosed within towering stone walls bolstered by sturdy buttresses, this fortified monastery has a storied past that dates back centuries. Originally situated perilously distant from the city walls, it now stands just a short distance from the Knesset. Tradition holds that it occupies the site where the tree used to make Jesus's cross once grew. In the 6th century, a Byzantine church once stood here but was razed by the Persians in AD 614, with remnants of its mosaic floor visible near the main altar.

Constructed in the 11th century by Georgian monks, the present complex endured numerous raids yet remarkably remained intact. Thriving under Crusader rule, it hosted the renowned Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, though its fortunes waned, leading to its sale to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate by 1685. Today, the monastery's frescoes depict a unique blend of Christian, pagan, and secular imagery. Noteworthy features include the refectory and kitchen, offering glimpses into monastic life. Behind the altar screen lies a small shrine marking the supposed location of the tree that provided the cross's timber.