11th Century: Medieval Origins 

The exact origins of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem are lost to history, but it is believed to have begun around 1070, when monks from a nearby Benedictine abbey established a hospice in Jerusalem. This hospice served as a place of refuge and care for the increasing number of Christian pilgrims undertaking the long and perilous journey to the Holy City.

In time, the hospice evolved into a hospital, and in 1113, its independence was formally recognised by the Pope. Over the following decades, it grew into both a religious and military order. Known as the Hospitallers of St John — or Knights Hospitaller — its members were dedicated to caring for the poor and sick of all faiths. They also assumed the responsibility of protecting those under their care when their safety was at risk.

The original site of the first hospice was located in Muristan — the historic area where the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City converge. Today, our Muristan Clinic continues to serve local residents from this very location, offering vital walk-in access to eye care. In a region where timely treatment can mean the difference between sight and blindness, this clinic remains a crucial lifeline.

(Pictured: Plaque at the Muristan Clinic acknowledging the site of the first hospice in Jerusalem)