Church of the Holy Sepulchre Destroyed: Islam's Caliph Burns Jesus' Tomb
Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre destroyed in 1009. His workers hacked down to bedrock, trying to obliterate the site Christians believed held Christ's tomb. The destruction shocked Europe and became a rallying cry for the First Crusade 90 years later. Pilgrims rebuilt the church in 1048. Al-Hakim disappeared on a night walk in 1021.
October 18, 1009
1017 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Jerusalem
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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Fatimid
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caliph
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Church (building)
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Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
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bedrock
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Jerusalem
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Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
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List of Fatimid caliphs
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Bedrock
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