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.
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.
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".
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.
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.