Retracing the Historical Via Dolorosa: A Logistical Exercise in First-Century Jerusalem

Since the identification of Herod’s palace on the Western Hill of Jerusalem as the Praetorium (πραιτώριον) of the Gospels, the notion of Jesus being tried at the Antonia Fortress, and the associated Via Dolorosa, has been relegated to mere tradition. This presented a prime juncture to responsibly reinform a tantamount Christian pilgrimage tradition through the lens of archaeology. Unfortunately, this opportunity has seemingly been neglected by the greater academic community. Any scholar that ventures to mention a plausible route from the Praetorium to Golgotha hastily assumes a route through the Upper City and neglects to cite any compelling evidence. This paper demonstrates the archaeological and logistical flaws with an assumed route through the Upper City and instead proposes a more probable alternate path for the Villa Dolorosa outside the western city walls, beginning at Broshi and Gibson’s ‘Essene Gate’ and culminating near Taylor’s location for Golgotha.