Church of St Peter in Gallicantu
Jerusalem
The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu was built in 1931. It is located on the eastern slopes of Mount Zion. The church was built to commemorate Peter's triple rejection of Jesus and his subsequent remorse. Beneath the church are a series of carved-out chambers dating from the Second Temple period. According to Catholic tradition, the palace of Caiaphas is located on this very site, so it is believed that Jesus may have been imprisoned in one of these underground crypts.
A Byzantine shrine dedicated to Peter's repentance was erected on this spot in the middle of the fifth century and was later destroyed by Muslim invaders. The chapel was rebuilt by the Crusaders and given a new name: St. Peter's in Gallicantu. Galli-cantu means cock-crow in Latin. Today a golden rooster protrudes prominently from the sanctuary roof.
Church of St Peter in Gallicantu
Photo: Victor Rivera Melendez, GNU Free Documentation License
