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The Holy Land

View from slopes and olive groves of the Mount of Olives towards distant rooftops of Jerusalem. 
The royal party arrived at Jerusalem in the evening of 31 March. They set up a camp outside the city walls, between the Damascus Gate and the Gate of St. Ste

Jerusalem, From Mount of Olives ©

For the Victorian public, the Bible was the main source of information about the Holy Land. The life of Christ and stories from the Old Testament would have been widely known.

Travelling overland on horses, the royal party was taken to visit sites that had strong biblical associations, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee. The Prince was also given permission to visit two sacred Islamic sites – the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, and the Mosque at Hebron. Bedford received special permission to take photographs at both locations.

Francis Bedford (1815-94)

Jerusalem, From Mount of Olives

Francis Bedford (1815-94)

Garden of Gethsemane [Jerusalem]

Francis Bedford (1815-94)

Convent of St Saba.(Mar Sâba)

Francis Bedford (1815-94)

Sea of Galilee, at Tiberias