Saint Peter in Gallicantu
Erected on the slope of Mt. Zion in 1931, St. Peter's Church commemorates Peter's triple rejection of Jesus and his subsequent remorse. The unique structure is blend of contemporary design, primitive art, and items from antiquity. Beneath the church are a series of carved-out chambers from the Second Temple period. Roman Catholic tradition believes that the palace of Caiaphas was on this site, and Jesus may have been imprisoned in one of these underground crypts.
A Byzantine shrine dedicated to Peter's repentance was erected on this spot in the middle of the fifth century and was later destroyed by Muslim invaders. The chapel was rebuilt by the Crusaders and given its' current name, St. Peter's in Gallicantu. Galli-cantu means cock-crow in Latin and today a golden rooster is seen prominently on the roof of the sanctuary.
Some experts believe that the grotto in which Jesus was held is missing a pillar. It is to this column that Jesus was tied, and when the Crusaders rebuilt the Byzantine shrine they removed the sacred pillar. The courtyard of the church includes the remains of cellars and rooms used to store the taxes and donations brought to the Temple.
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