This is a panoramic view of the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher, looking east from the elevation of the western rise. In most churches, the most important direction in the church is the liturgical east. Since the view in this picture is slightly off center, you can see more clearly the canopy over the altar, known as the baldechin, and more precisely in a Catholic church, the ciborium. The purpose of this kind of architectural structure is to enhance the honor of the altar, having been also used for thrones of kings. Orignally, this architectural structure was four columns holding up a cloth canopy, but frequently were then made of stone or bronze, like here.

This is a view looking up at the inside of the ciborium, shows the lovely spiritual decorations enhancing its purpose of giving honor to the holy altar.

This is a panoramic view of the altar looking north. A mural of the Holy Spirit can be seen on the northern wall (center, beyond the altar).

This is a panoramic view of the altar looking south. A mural can be seen on the southern wall (center, beyond the altar), showing the Sacred Heart of Jesus that had been pierced by a Roman spear. This panoramic photograph is wide enough to show the Ascension of Christ mural above the tomb of Christ in the eastern end of the church (left side of photo), and the Mount Calvary rise above the western doors to the church (right side of photo.

This is a panoramic view of the altar looking west, showing the Mount Calvary rise above the western doors of the church (center, beyond the altar).