Dungeon - Christ's Prison

Dungeons are common feature of old castles. In October 2014 when we toured North Yorkshire, UK, we saw one at the Bolton Castle (Read here).

Archeological dig at the former residence of Caiaphas discovered a pit below his house. Caiaphas was then the high priest of Jerusalem who was the first official to question Jesus after his arrest. In Roman era, pits were common in homes for water storage and for use as cellars. 

However, this particular pit discovered in Caiaphas' former residence which was hewn out of solid rock has no access steps leading to the base but a hole at the ceiling. In the case of a water cistern, the hole is where water is drawn at the top by means of a rope harness. If this is a dungeon to keep prisoner, the hole may be used to lower prisoner into this dungeon. This pit is believed to be where Jesus was kept in the night of Maundy Thursday before he was led to Pontius Pilate for another trial the next morning. Beside this ceiling opening, there is also a side opening at the upper top end which is said to be used as peep hole for the guards to peep through. 

Currently, a staircase has been built to facilitate visitors to walk all the way down to the bottom of the pit. The dungeon termed the "Secret Pit" is also known as "Christ's Prison".

Staircase built to facilitate access to the bottom of the pit.

Looking up at the ceiling opening from the pit bottom.
Openings at the upper zone are said to be used for
guards to peep through.

A solitary lectern at one corner of the bottom of the pit.

This is the hole at the ceiling of the dungeon reckoned to be where prisoner is lowered by a piece of rope.

Every group that descends to this pit remembers the story of the suffering of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel.

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The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu now sits above the "Christ Prison". This Catholic Church was rebuilt in 1931 over ruins of a Byzantine shrine to commemorate the repentance of Peter over his trice denials of Jesus.

At the Church courtyard, there is a statute of Peter sitting beside a campfire with the guards. A rooster at the top of a pole reminds visitors of the story that Peter would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

Peter redeemed his moment of weakness by dedicating the rest of his life for the cause of the Gospel. Jesus predicted Peter's unusual death soon after asking him three times, "Do you love me?" (John 21:18-19). It is accepted by tradition that Peter was crucified on a cross upside down in Rome at an old age because he felt unworthy to die in the manner as Jesus.

A huge stained-glass window in the form of a cross adorns the underside of the dome of the Church.

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Dome of the Rock (seen at the upper left hand corner) 

distinguished by the golden dome in the walled old city 

of Jerusalem is visible from the Church of St. Peter.

We were told that this old path from the Church of St. Peter to the valley was the route where the guards took Jesus to Caiaphas' residence after his capture in Gethsemane. Remnant of cobble stones paved over the route are still clearly visible.