History

William Henry Bartlett about Armenian Convent in Jerusalem

File:Armenian Convent, Jerusalem wikimedia.org

Travel writer William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was scathing about most of the sites and scenes of Jerusalem.

The only building in the whole city, he wrote, “that presents any considerable appearance of comfort” is the Armenian Convent; its compactly-built façade, the neatly-paved street in front, overshadowed by the noble tree, and the portly and highly respectable looking monks about its doorway, are all redolent of ease, and wealth, and cleanliness—rare in the city of Jerusalem.”

He also wrote that the Armenian Convent was the “best resting place in Jerusalem.”

By Jirair Tutunjian

Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

The Frescoes of Dadivank Monastery and the Misinterpretation of Heritage

The medieval monastery of Dadivank is one of the most important spiritual and artistic centers…

2 days ago

Armenian Orphan Girls in New York (1917): A Forgotten Act of Witness and Relief

In 1917, at the height of global upheaval during World War I, a small but…

1 week ago

The Armenian Genocide: State Crime, Mass Participation, and the Burden of Historical Responsibility

The Armenian Genocide (1915–1921 ...) was not an accident of war, nor a tragic byproduct…

2 weeks ago

The First Printed Armenian Bible (Amsterdam, 1666–1668)

Introduction The first printed edition of the Bible in the Armenian language stands as one…

2 weeks ago

Armenopolis (Gherla): An Armenian “Ideal City” in the Heart of Europe

Armenopolis (modern-day Gherla, Romania) is a remarkable example of how the Armenian diaspora not only…

3 weeks ago

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia

Regarding the Remarks of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group at the Permanent Council…

2 months ago