Jerusalem - St. Anne's Church

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St. Anne's Church was built by the Crusaders between 1131 and 1138 AD. According to tradition, it was built over the home of Anne and Joachim, the parent's of Mary. According to Catholic tradition, Mary was born on this site. 

It is one of the few remaining Crusader buildings to retain its original construction. When the Muslims recaptured Jerusalem in 1189 AD, Saladin converted the church into a Muslim school, which continued in use for about 300 years until it was abandoned. 

By the 1850's the church had deteriorated. It was given to the French for the help they gave the Ottomans during the Crimean War. The French subsequently restored it and what we have today is basically what the Crusaders built. 

St. Anne's acoustics are fantastic and were designed to compliment the singing of Gregorian chants. Today, pilgrims enjoy the enchanting sound when the simplest hymn is sung.  

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The church is located north of the Temple Mount about 200 feet inside St. Stephen's (or Lion's) Gate. Adjacent to the church on the west side is the extensive excavation area of the Pools of Bethesda.