Church of St. John the Baptist, Jerusalem

The gleaming silver dome rises prominently above the Muristan, offering a striking sight against the city's skyline. Yet, amidst the bustling crowds along the lively Christian Quarter Road, the entrance to this historic landmark may prove elusive. A modest doorway grants access to a courtyard, which in turn grants access to both the adjoining Greek Orthodox monastery and the church itself.

Dating back to the 5th century, the Church of Saint John the Baptist ranks among Jerusalem's oldest religious sites. Despite periods of dilapidation, extensive reconstruction in the 11th century restored its grandeur, with only the later-added bell towers altering its original form. As a Greek Orthodox establishment, it has a resplendent gilded altar screen and is decorated with icons venerating John the Baptist. Notably, one such icon, located just inside the entrance on the right, reputedly houses a fragment of the saint's skull.

In 1099, amidst the tumult of the siege of Jerusalem, this church served as a refuge for Christian knights wounded in battle. Upon recorvery, these knights, inspired by their experiences, pledged themselves to aiding the infirm and safeguarding pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. Thus, they established the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John, an order that would evolve into the military order of the Hospitallers, playing a pivotal role in defending the Holy Land throughout the Crusades.