The Immovable Ladder
The Immovable Ladder, a symbol of the complex dynamics within Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher, embodies the deep-rooted tensions among its six ancient Christian denominations. This tiny church, historically shared by these denominations, has long been a source of friction and rivalry. To mitigate conflicts, an agreement was established that mandated unanimous consent for any alterations to the common areas.
However, this policy took an unexpected turn when, during repairs before 1757, a simple wooden ladder was left behind on a roof landing. Over 260 years later, the leaders of the church still cannot reach an agreement on how to remove the ladder, making it an enduring emblem of the divisions and disputes that persist within this holy site.