The Monastery of the cross is built on the site where the olive tree grew that was used to construct the cross that crucified Jesus. It was also the same tree that Eve tasted the fruit whereof it was said "thou shalt not eat". The monastery was built by Justinian in his 6th century building drive and was then destroyed by both the Persians and Hakim, being rebuilt in the lull just before the first crusade. Today the monastery has had its isolation shattered by modern Jerusalem and is manned by just two monks.