Why did medieval T and O maps place Jerusalem at the center?

In medieval cartography, the placement of Jerusalem at the center of T and O maps reflected the profound religious and symbolic significance of the city during the Middle Ages.

While these maps were often schematic and dominated by ecclesiastical dogma, they served as visual representations of the world interpreted through the lens of Scripture. Jerusalem was viewed by Christians as the sacred site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection, acting as a spiritual meeting point between heaven and earth. By placing the city at the center, medieval mapmakers emphasized its role as the theological heart of the world, rather than prioritizing geographical or mathematical precision. This practice aligned with the era's tendency to prioritize philosophical and religious interpretations of geography over the practical, administrative mapping styles seen in earlier periods.123