Akeldama, Historic site in eastern Jerusalem, Israel
Akeldama is a historic site in eastern Jerusalem, Israel, featuring ancient burial caves, stone tombs, and a Greek Orthodox monastery built on terraced slopes overlooking the Hinnom Valley. The grounds display multiple layers of old burial structures carved into rock or constructed from local stone, along with monastery buildings that include chapels and courtyards.
The site was used as a burial ground for pilgrims and travelers after the first century, with most of the current structures dating from Byzantine and medieval periods. The Greek Orthodox monastery was established in the 19th century atop the ruins of older religious buildings.
The name comes from Aramaic and means Field of Blood, a term still used in Christian liturgy and scripture across denominations. Pilgrims from different traditions visit the site to connect with biblical narratives and view the tombs that have served as resting places for strangers for centuries.
The monastery grounds open for visitors during morning hours, with guided tours available through the Jerusalem Tourism Office and local religious organizations. The paths on the terraced slopes can be steep and uneven, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
During the Middle Ages, ships transported soil from this site to the Camposanto cemetery in Pisa, Italy, believing it possessed miraculous decomposition properties. The transport became so significant that entire shipments were reserved for this purpose and the soil traveled across the Mediterranean in special crates.
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