2021-03-21 08:37
@ Monastery of the Cross, Jerusalem, Israel

The Monastery of the Cross in a beautiful valley named after it is without a doubt one of the special corners of Jerusalem. According to Christian tradition, the cedar tree from which the Holy Cross was later made grew there.
The monastery was first established by Byzantine monks in the 6th century AD. In the 11th century the monastery was rebuilt and reached its peak of prosperity and there are claims that about 800 monks lived here at that time.
Among those staying at the monastery was also Shota Rustaveli, a Georgian prince and also the national poet of Georgia.