Deir es-Sultan

Why stop here

An Ethiopian monastery on a roof. It sits above the Chapel of St Helena, part of the Holy Sepulchre. Monks live in small cells around the dome.

Look for

• The dome in the middle of the roof.
• The row of low cells around it.
• The doorway down into the church courtyard.

Context

The Ethiopian community once had rooms inside the church. They left them and settled on the roof. They have held this spot ever since, and it is still disputed.

To the next stop

This is the last stop. Steps lead down to the church courtyard.