The Upper Room

Like most holy sites in Israel, and especially in Jerusalem, not everyone agrees on the exact location of what happened where.  The Upper Room, the scene of the Last Supper, Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, Judas leaving the meal early, etc., is no different.  The actual building, and room, vanished long ago.  However, this particular building (and room), most likely built before 400 CE, is believed by many historians to be built on the site of the original Upper Room.

The site was supposedly maintained by early Christians, including the Crusaders, until approximately the 1330s when it came under the control of Franciscan Friars.  They oversaw the site until 1524 when the Ottoman's gained control and turned it into a mosque.  You can still the influence of the Ottomans in the building's architecture.  After Israel became a state in 1948, the government took control of the site and Christians began to return to it.

Arabic inscription above the entryway 

The ceiling

Lamps above one of the alcoves

Details of the top of the columns

One of two stained glass windows

Arabic inscription in tiles on the wall

A mihrab.  Semi-circular niches similar to this are found in mosques around the world.  Stepping inside it, one will find themselves pointing to Mecca, the holy city for Muslims.

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