Ein Kerem - Church of the Visitation
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Ein Kerem
Identification:
Traditional site of the Visitation of Anna by the Angles.
Church name:
Church of the Visitation
Functional Type:
Memorial
Church type:
Chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
215.06
630.22
Coordinates, ICS system:
165.05
1,130.22
Geographical region:
Jerusalem (Greater Jerusalem)
Topographical location:
On the hill above the spring
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Jerusalem
Source of knowledge
Literary sources:
Literary sources
Epigraphy:
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Baggati, B. | 1938 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The small chapel with an apse and mosaic is incorporated into a medieval church as a crypt. diemensions: 6.6X2.2 m.
Description
Illustrative material:
Lateral walls:
0.2-0.4 m. wide.
Nave:
Paved with a geometric mosaic.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
Hewn from rock and faced with stones. 1.2 m. deep with a chord of 1.6
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Pottery | Byzantine and Medieval Arab. |
Coins | Three coins found: of Maurich; from Heraclius to Constans II (638-668); and an Umayyad coin.
Besides that only Crusader coins were found. |
Inscription - see under epigraphy | A graffity of a few Greeks letters was inscibed into the plastered ceiling of the natural cave. |
Metal objects | Holders for lamp wicks |
Other | Byzantine eulogia with the depiction of Elizabeth and St. John Forerunner, hiding in the rock, and Herod's soldier, following them |
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
south
Architectural Evolution
| Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|
Phase 1 | 5th-6th c. | |
Based on the finds DSchick believs the church went out of use by the Umayyad period. | Abandonment | 7th-8th c. |
Post Arab conquest history:
Abandoned