towards the north than Emmaus and Joppa. The western part of Jerusalem
was lower than any other: the land on which it was built first sloped
in the direction of the surrounding wall, and then rose again when
close to it; and on this declivity there stood gardens and vineyards,
behind which wound a wide road, with paths leading to the walls and
towers. On the other side, without the wall, the land descended towards
the valley, so that the walls surrounding the lower part of the town
looked as if built on a raised terrace. There are gardens and vineyards
even in the present day on the outer hill. When Jesus arrived at the
end of the Way of the Cross, he had on his left hand that part of the
town where there were so many gardens; and it was from thence that
Simon of Cyrene was coming when he met the procession. The gate by
which Jesus left the town was not entirely facing the west, but rather
the south-west. The city wall on the left-hand side, after passing
through the gate, ran somewhat in a southerly direction, then turned
towards the west, and then again to the south, round Mount Sion. On
this side there stood a large tower, like a fortress. The gate by which
Jesus left the town was at no great distance from another gate more
towards the south, leading down to the valley, and where a road,
turning to the left in the direction of Bethlehem, commenced. The road
turned to the north towards Mount Calvary shortly after that gate by
which Jesus left Jerusalem when bearing his Cross. Mount Calvary was
very steep on its eastern side, facing the town, and a gradual descent
on the western; and on this side, from which the road to Emmaus was to
be seen, there was a field, in which I saw Luke gather several plants
when he and Cleophas were going to Emmaus, and met Jesus on the way.
Near the walls, to the east and south of Calvary, there were also
gardens, sepulchres, and vineyards. The Cross was buried on the
north-east side, at the foot of Mount Calvary.