Pilgrims creating a biblical landscape

The Romans had destroyed Jerusalem in 70 and built there the roman city, Aelia Capitolina. After the Council of Nicea in 325, the Emperor Constantine decided to change the landscape of this pagan city. Using Bible stories and local memories, Palestine was transformed into biblical landscape. Three great churches were built to memorialise the most important passage of the Nicene creed. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary (Nativity Church, Bethlehem) was crucified and died and rose again on the third day (Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem) and ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father (Church of the Ascension, Mount of Olives). Monuments marked out Jesus' life on earth to create a literary landscape, a Holy Land. The Empress Helena, mother of Constantine visited Jerusalem in 326.

Buildings erected by the Emperor Justinian in Jerusalem about 532 included the Basilica of St. Mary which stood on vaults, and was surrounded with cloisters; and also two hospitals for the sick and poor.

> St John
the Baptist