Alexander Hospice (Jerusalem)

Souk el- Dabbagha, Jerusalem

Tel. (02) 627 4952

Excavations: 9am- 1pm and 3- 5pm Mon- Sat

 

The Alexander Hospice, also known as the Alexanderhof or the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky, is a significant Russian Orthodox complex located in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. Established in the late 19th century, it serves as a spiritual center, archaeological site, and historical monument.

 

Historical Background

Background in Russian Imperial Interests
During the mid-19th century, Imperial Russia took a growing interest in Orthodox Christian holy sites in the Ottoman-controlled Holy Land. This was part of a broader religious and geopolitical rivalry with France and Britain over influence in the region—a conflict that culminated in the Crimean War (1853–1856). In response, Russia began to fund pilgrimages, build hospices, and establish churches for the growing number of Russian Orthodox pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.

Establishment of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
In 1882, the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS) was founded under the patronage of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov, brother of Tsar Alexander III. Its purpose was to support the Orthodox presence in the Holy Land through archaeological research, education, and the construction of infrastructure for pilgrims. The Alexander Hospice was one of its most ambitious early projects.

Acquisition of Land and Discovery of Antiquities
In 1859, Russian authorities purchased land just outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the intention of building a Russian consulate and pilgrims’ hospice. However, during excavations in the 1880s, the workers uncovered ancient walls, thresholds, and Roman-period structures, revealing what appeared to be remnants of Jerusalem’s Second Temple and Roman periods.

Church Design and Dedication
Due to the archaeological significance of the site, plans were altered. Instead of a simple hospice, the complex evolved into a religious and memorial site. The central feature became the Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky, named in honor of Saint Alexander Nevsky, a revered Russian prince and saint, and indirectly honoring Tsar Alexander III.

The church was designed in a Russian Byzantine style, with elements of the Russian Art Nouveau and rich iconographic decoration. It was consecrated in 1896, becoming a prominent symbol of Russian Orthodox presence in the Holy Land.

Pilgrims’ Hospice Function
Alongside the church, the complex served as a hospice (hostel) for Russian pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims visited Jerusalem annually by the late 19th century, many arriving via the Russian Compound (constructed earlier in the century) and staying at the Alexanderhof.

Archaeological and Historical Significance - Major Discoveries
Roman Gate and Street: Excavators unearthed what is believed to be a gate of a Herodian or Roman forum, possibly part of the Cardo Maximus—the main Roman street through Jerusalem.

Herodian Wall: A section of a wall dating to the Second Temple period, possibly the eastern gate of Hadrian’s Aelia Capitolina, was discovered.

Threshold Stone ("Judgment Gate"): One particularly large stone slab with sockets for a door is traditionally associated by the Orthodox faithful with the “Judgment Gate”—a passageway believed to have been taken by Jesus on his way to Golgotha.

“Eye of the Needle”: A narrow passage in the wall—possibly a smaller night-gate—has been linked (theologically, though not archaeologically) to Jesus’ metaphor of the "eye of the needle" in Matthew 19:24.

These findings gave the complex immense historical and religious weight, and the hospice became a pilgrimage and research site as much as a lodging place.

Political Struggles and Ownership Disputes
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, the property fell into dispute. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) and the Moscow Patriarchate both claimed authority over Russian ecclesiastical assets abroad. In Jerusalem, this created a split in administration of Russian church properties, including the Alexander Hospice.

From the 1920s to the 1940s, the British Mandate authorities recognized the ROCOR administration.

In the post-WWII era, with rising Soviet influence in the region, the Moscow Patriarchate began to assert control.

Today, the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, aligned with Moscow, administers the site.

Present-Day Role
Today, the Alexander Hospice functions as:
A Russian Orthodox church (active worship site)
A museum and archaeological site, open to visitors and researchers
A spiritual and national monument, still deeply connected with Russian identity in the Holy Land

It continues to be a popular stop for Orthodox pilgrims, especially from Russia, and a point of cultural diplomacy between Israel and Russia.

 

Architectural and Religious Significance

The Alexander Hospice encompasses several key components:
Alexander Nevsky Church: A Russian Orthodox church featuring a two-tiered iconostasis and walls adorned with icons and paintings by Nikolai Andreyevich Koshelev. A notable stained-glass window in the Russian Art Nouveau style graces the eastern wall behind the altar.

Pilgrims' Hospice: Originally designed to accommodate Russian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, reflecting the 19th-century surge in religious tourism from Russia.

Museum and Archaeological Site: The basement houses archaeological excavations, including remnants of a Herodian city wall, sections of a Roman colonnaded street, and a threshold believed by some to be part of the path Jesus walked en route to Golgotha. These findings have led to the site's nickname, the "Russian Excavations".

 

Archaeological Highlights

The archaeological discoveries at the Alexander Hospice are of considerable importance:

Herodian City Wall: A section dating back to the Second Temple period, supporting theories about the historical boundaries of Jerusalem during that era.

Roman Structures: Remnants of a Roman forum gate and parts of the Cardo Maximus, providing insights into the city's layout during Roman times.
"Eye of the Needle": A small aperture adjacent to a threshold, speculated to be the "eye of the needle" referenced in biblical texts, through which travelers could enter the city after the main gates were closed.

 

Contemporary Relevance

Today, the Alexander Hospice functions as a place of worship, historical museum, and archaeological site. It remains under the administration of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and continues to attract pilgrims, historians, and tourists interested in its rich tapestry of religious and historical significance.