Roman Garrison
Antonia Fortress
an-TOH-nee-uh FOR-tress · Modern Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif, Jerusalem · Also called Praetorium, the Praetorium · 31.7760° N, 35.2362° E
The Antonia Fortress was a Herodian military garrison built at the northwest corner of the Temple Mount to overlook the Jewish Temple precinct. Long-standing Christian tradition identifies it as the Praetorium where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-19:16) and the starting point of the Via Dolorosa.
Archaeology
Excavations near the Temple Mount's northwest corner revealed a massive wall and Herodian ashlar masonry consistent with a large fortress, and flagstone paving once thought to be the Gospel's "Pavement" (Gabbatha, John 19:13). Modern scholarship has shown much of that pavement actually dates to a 2nd-century Roman forum, decades after Jesus's trial, and argues Pilate more likely resided at Herod's former palace on the Western Hill — making the Antonia's role as the actual trial site a matter of ongoing scholarly debate rather than settled fact.
On a modern map
Further reading
Reflect
From the fortress steps, Paul told his own story to a hostile crowd — could you tell the story of your faith clearly if suddenly asked?
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