Church of Saint John the Baptist, Ein Karem
The Church of Saint John the Baptist is a Catholic church in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, that belongs to the Franciscan order. It was built at the site where Saint John the Baptist is believed to have been born.[1]
Not to be confused with Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist, Jerusalem.Church of Saint John the Baptist, Ein Karem
1655/1307
1113, 1621-1675, 1939
In 1941–42 the Franciscans excavated the area west of the church and monastery.[2] Here they discovered graves, rock-cut chambers, wine presses and small chapels with mosaic tiling.[2] The southern rock-cut chamber contained ceramic datable to a period stretching from approximately the first century BC till 70 AD, an interval that includes the presumed lifetime of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John.[2][3][4] The community living here has been dated by the archaeological findings back to the Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods.[2]
Most of the current church structure probably dates back to the 11th century, with the lower courses possibly dating to the Byzantine period (4th-7th century).[2]
Floor plan and legend:[15]
Exterior
The altar in the church
The altar and cupola in the church
The altar and cupola in the church
The cupola in the church
Part of the cupola in the church
Entrance of the cave of John the Baptist's birth
Entrance of the cave of John the Baptist's birth
The floor tiles in the cave
The floor tiles in the cave
Cave of John the Baptist's birth
