Also unearthed were the remains of a lovely Byzantine shrine with an elaborate mosaic floor. The Byzantine floor, which was incorporated into the modern-day church, is richly decorated with intersecting circles and pictures of fruit, leaves, flowers, and fish. The slab which was the top of a Byzantine altar, perhaps found by archeologists at the site and brought to the church, sits right on top of the mosaic tiles. Dominus Flevit's intriguingly abstract exterior appears to be the top of a large and impressive edifice, the church is actually quite small. Yet although it contains only an ancient and modern apse, a few chairs, a mosaic floor, and an altar, this is still a charming and impressive chapel.
Gilded mosaics embellish the simple inner lines of the church's domed ceiling.
On each of its four sides is an impressive biblical bas relief. But the compact chapel's most remarkable feature is its arch-shaped picture window, purposely situated behind the altar. A mosaic picture of a hen and her chickens decorates the bottom of the altar. Architect of this modern masterpiece was Antonio Barluzzi, who designed several of Jerusalem's most delightful sanctuaries and the monumental edifice which served at the beginning of the century as the city's Italian Hospital. Although he drew heavily on his Italian background, each of his creations is designed for the site's specific historic or religious ambience.