K-Day today at ABC Wednesday.
At the end of Freres Street, next to the Latin Patriarchate, near the New Gate, in the Christian Quarter, inside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, is a small hotel.
It's the Knights Palace!
Before the middle of the 19th century, Jerusalem had no hotels. Only after mid-century, when tourism per se began to the Holy Land, were hotels built. Pilgrims who came on pilgrimage had hostels for their meagre needs, but wealthier tourists from abroad wanted more comfortable accommodation.
Knights Palace dates mostly to the 1880s.
Even the restrooms in the lobby go with the knightly motif.
Some of the 50 hotel rooms (on the right, not the left!). The Knights Palace website is here.
For a time, the building served as a theological seminary.
As you might guess from the KHS Knight's photo on the wall, the building is also the base in Jerusalem of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
As you might guess from the KHS Knight's photo on the wall, the building is also the base in Jerusalem of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. .
AND . . . today is Michaelmas, the Feast Day of the Archangel St. Michael and All Angels!
As Nestor writes in his blog Every Day's A Holiday!, "Perhaps because of his position as the leader of the army of angels in Revelation, Michael became the patron saint of knights, whom fighters called upon in times of battle."
Happy Michaelmas to all Christians who are celebrating the feast day.
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Wonderful captures and a very informative post for the day! I enjoyed reading it very much! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
You have obviously been on a Knightly quest for this post...
ReplyDeleteYou always find the most wonderful subjects for your photos. I'd love to do a photowalk with you one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that Jerusalem didn't have hotels till the mid 1800s. abut I guess anyone making a pilgrimage to the city way back then would not have been a spoiled modern tourist.
ReplyDeleteI mixed up my right and left and was looking at the wrong side for the rooms! The place looks great though...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and informative, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful architecture! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post - great pictures and very informative, interesting info!
ReplyDeleteI have been away and read all your past posts with pleasure. But I was very sad to see the fire on the monastic grounds – what desolation and how terrible for them. When we came back from Canada we also saw some desolation in our town and nearby in Atlanta. There had been tremendous flood – our family room was flooded and our books but many people had water to the roof. I posted many pictures on my blog. Desolation by fire and water.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Dina, and once again I've learned something new. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlways appreciative of your beautiful photos and informative posts! There is so much to learn!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Dina.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Michael! A big strong guy who fights for what's good- what's not to like?
Glad for the new year....
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Thanks for sharing this with us, Dina. Looks like an interesting place.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Dina. I know I'm being silly but this kind of reminds me of material that Dan Brown could really use.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting hotel!
ReplyDeletethis was so interesting
ReplyDeleteI so love the whole concept of the knights. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic history lesson you have given us, through not only your prose, but the wonderful photos, each so unique and detailed. I love this post.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog - it's so informative and your photos are fantastic - thank you for another great installment!
ReplyDeleteIt must be interesting to live in a city with so much history. I invite you to come see my post about The King. -- Margy
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I especially like the Latin Patriarch's coat of arms. Every symbol has meaning.
ReplyDeleteReally an interesting hotel with a great "atmosphere"! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt seems a very nice hotel and has keep up with the time very well. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I come to Jerusalem in November, could well imagine to stay a night there ;-)
ReplyDelete