I Interior

View looking west at a fountain in one of the courtyards of the Umariyya Boys School.  The dome in the upper center of the portion of the image is that of the church at the Ecco Homo convent.

The Umariyya Boys School is built over the site of the Antonia Fortress that towered over the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.  According to some traditions this is the place where Jesus was persecuted by Roman soldiers and condemned to death by Pilate.  BUT, it is more probable that the condemnation of Jesus took place at Herod the Great’s Palace where Pilate probably resided when he visited Jerusalem—it was located near Jaffa Gate.

Because of this tradition, this site is the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.

For an important description and commentary on the significance of the Via Dolorosa Click Here.