About Upper Room

Just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion is the Upper Room (also known as the Cenacle). It has been regarded as the traditional site of the Last Supper since the 4^th century AD. It was also where Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. Beneath it is the Jewish shrine venerated as the Tomb of King David.

About the Site

The Cenacle was built by the Crusaders in the 12^th century atop a 1^st century church-synagogue. The current structure of the room was restored by the Franciscans in the 14^th century. It was used as a Franciscan monastery until 1552 when the Ottoman Empire transformed the room into a mosque.

About the Room

It is a mostly empty room with classic Crusader arches. It has a rib-vaulted ceiling supported by freestanding marble columns. The column capitals are mostly 12^th century in style. One scene carved into the capitals depicts a mother bird flanked by two young pelicans feeding on the blood their mother has drawn from her breast. This symbolizes charity and sacrifice in Christianity.