Jerusalem - Church of All Nations

In the fourth century the Emperor Theodosius I built a basilica in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jeruslaem over the rock on which Christ was believed to have prayed. The ground-plan of this church is still visible on the floor of the modern church erected on the site in 1924. The present church is three-aisled like its predecessor, but on a larger scale. In marked contrast to the brightly colored façade is the dim light in the interior. The roof, formed of twelve small domes decorated with mosaics, is borne on six columns. In front of the altar is the rock on which Christ prayed, surrounded by a low grille in the form of the crown of thorns. The church takes its name from the paintings, presented by many different nations, with which it is decorated.