The German Association of the Holy Land

[citation needed] A government decree signed on 11 March 1895 gives to the DVHL the status of a legal entity under the protection of the German state, valid to this day.

By then, the target group had extended to all oppressed Christians in the Ottoman Empire under the control of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

The impressive Abbey of the Dormition, which is owned by the Association, was built on a patch of land on Mount Zion gifted by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

However, its original plan of establishing Catholic settlers in economic colonies in Palestine failed, as they couldn't find any volunteers.

More hospices for pilgrims were raised on patches of land in Emmaus and Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee, which were cultivated with the help of local Bedouins.

Today, the German Association of the Holy Land acts as a charitable organization, supporting all Christians in the Middle East.

The German Association of the Holy Land and its interests are represented by a specific presiding priest in the diocese, chosen by the respective bishop.