Church of the Holy Family, Jerusalem, Catholic church in the Old City, Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Family is a Catholic chapel located within the Austrian Hospice complex in Jerusalem's Old City, serving as a space for worship and religious gatherings. The building stands as part of a larger pilgrim hostel that offers lodging and spiritual facilities to its visitors.
The chapel was consecrated on March 19, 1863 by Patriarch Giuseppe Valerga as part of the Austrian pilgrim hostel founded in 1853. Its establishment reflected 19th century European interest in maintaining sacred spaces for Christian pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
The chapel displays religious artworks and symbols dedicated to the Holy Family, reflecting the Catholic devotion expressed through daily worship that takes place within its walls.
Visitors can explore the premises through guided tours offered by the hospice, which provide access to the religious spaces and facilities. It is advisable to check opening times in advance and dress appropriately, as this remains an active place of worship.
Inside the chapel sits a Rieger organ from 1910, manufactured in Jägerndorf in Central Europe and still in working condition. This rare instrument connects the chapel to the organ-building tradition of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and reveals how European craftsmanship reached the Holy Land.
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