Christian Sites of Interest In and Around Jerusalem

 

Christian Sites In and Around Jerusalem

If you only have one day for seeing the sites in Israel, then, without question, and especially for a Christian tourist coming to Israel, Jerusalem is the one place that you must see.  Truly, you should probably spend more time here if you can, as there are so many important and significant sites to see and they are all located relatively close to each other.  But with one day, you can see, at least, a few and some of the most important sites in Christianity. So, lets start our tour: 1)  The Via Dolorosa.  Also known as The Way of Sorrows.  Follow the path that the Romans forced Jesus to walk from his “trial” to his crucifixion and then finally to where he was laid to rest at what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (See number 2 below).   The different stations on the path are marked along the way with medallions showing the Roman numeral representing the number of the station. A very good guide of the Via Dolorosa with pictures can be found here:  Via Dolorosa Walking Guide Also, Wikipedia has a good page here: Wikipedia Via Dolorosa And the Stations of the Cross here: Wikipedia Stations of the Cross 2)  The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  The church is considered to be the place with the two holiest sites in Christendom:  A)  The site where Jesus was crucified – Calvary in Latin and also known as  Golgotha in Greek, and, B)  Jesus’ empty tomb, where it is said, that he was to have been buried and then resurrected. If we were Christian, we think that the above two sites would be more than enough to consider a trip to Israel complete.  There are, of course, many more places to see and experience here in Israel, but we feel that these two are a must, must see. You can find more information here: Wikipedia Church of the Holy Sepulchre Now, what would Israel be if there weren’t some differing points of contention?  So, of course, there are some differing opinions about the resting place and place of the Resurrection of Jesus. Which leads us to the third site on our list: 3)  The Garden Tomb is a tomb cut into rock in Jerusalem.  It is located outside the Old City Walls.  This site was discovered in 1867 and has subsequently been considered by some Christians to be the site of Jesus’ burial and then the Resurrection.  This site has strong significance to Protestant Christians. Wikipedia The Garden Tomb Google Maps The Garden Tomb 4)  The Historical Sites of Mount Zion.  Located due south of the Zion Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem is what is now considered to be Mount Zion. Here you can find three major sites of interest to Christians and people with interest in the stories of the Bible.  The first site is the Room of the Last Supper. The second site is the Dormition Abbey – The site where it is believed that  Jesus’ mother, Mary, died. And the third site is the site that is claimed to be the Tomb of King David.  Wikipedia Mount Zion  Wikipedia Room of the Last Supper - Cenacle Wikipedia Dormition Abbey Wikipedia King David’s Tomb Google Maps Showing the Area of Mount Zion 5)  Mount of Olives.  Here you will find a few interesting places to visit.  One of the things that should be a must-do is the lookout point, overlooking, westward, to the Old City of Jerusalem. The view is quite breathtaking and awe-inspiring.  Another two points of interest that are right beside each other are the Church of All Nations (also known as the Basilica of Agony) and the Garden of Gethsemane.  The garden contains olive trees that have been dated to be over 800 years old.  It is also the place reputed to be where Jesus last prayed to God before being turned over to the Romans.  Some also believe that it is in this area where Mary died and her soul went to heaven (see below). Wikipedia Mount of Olives Wikipedia Church of All Nations Wikipedia Garden of Gethsemane Google Maps Mount Olives Look-Out Area NOTE: The lookout area is to the south and west of the Google Maps locations pin showing Mount of Olives.  It is at the south end of the road called Rabaa al Adwaya. Google Maps the Garden of Gethsemane (the Church Of All Nations is located here as well) The next three sites (6, 7 and 8) are all close by to the Church Of All Nations, and would be a shame to miss if you are already in this area. 6)  The Tomb of the Virgin Mary.  Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that this is where Mary is buried. Wikipedia Tomb of the Virgin Mary Google Maps The Tomb of the Virgin Mary 7)  The Church Of Mary Magdalene. A Russian Orthodox style church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Noted for its seven onion shaped domes. Wikipedia Church Of Mary Magdalene Google Maps Church of Mary Magdalene 8)  Dominus Flevit Church. The tear drop shaped church that commemorates the place of the weeping of Christ as he realizes the destruction of the Second Temple and the wandering of the Jewish people. Wikipedia Dominus Flevit Church Google Maps Dominus Flevit Church 9)  The Church of St. John the Baptist, Jerusalem. The Oldest Church in Jerusalem and the birth place of the Knights Hospitallers. Wikipedia Church of St. John the Baptist: Sorry, we have not found a Wikipedia Page for this site… Google Maps Church of St. John the Baptist 10)  The Church of St. John the Baptist, Ein Kerem. This church marks the place of the birth of St. John the Baptist.  It is located in the hills just west of Jerusalem. Close by is the Wikipedia Church of St. John the Baptist, Ein Kerem   Google Maps Church of St. John the Baptist, Ein Kerem 11)  The Church of the Visitation, Ein Kerem. This Church honours the visit made by the Virgin Mary, to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Wikipedia Church of the Visitation Google Maps Church of the Visitation 12)  The Benedictine Monastery in Abu Ghosh, named St Mary of the Resurrection Abbey. A 12^th century Crusader church. Now a church and monastery run by the Olivetan Benedictine Order. It is said to be one of the best preserved churches from this period. Wikipedia Abu Ghosh Wikipedia Benedictine Monastery in Abu Gosh Google Maps Benedictine Monastery in Abu Gosh 13)  The Church of Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance (Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant). Built in 1924. There is a lot of history here. The church sits on the site where it was once said to be the place where the Ark of The Covenant was housed before King David brought it to the temple in Jerusalem. Wikipedia Church of Notre Dame Abu Gosh: Sorry, we have not found a Wikipedia Page for this site… Google Maps Church of Notre Dame Abu Gosh 14)  Inn of the Good Samaritan and Museum.  This site is associated with the inn mentioned in the Parable of the Good Samaritan from the New Testament. The Mosaic museum is one of only three in the world. Wikipedia Inn of the Good Samaritan: Sorry, we have not found a Wikipedia Page for this site… Google Maps Inn of The Good Samaritan 15) The Mount of Temptation (Jericho) and the Monastery of the Temptation.  The hill where it is said that Jesus was tempted by the devil. Wikipedia Mount of Temptation Wikipedia Monastery of the Temptation Google Maps Monastery of the Temptation 16)  Monastery of St Gerasimus (Jericho). Per tradition, the monastery stands where Mary, Joseph and Jesus took shelter in a cave while fleeing from Herod the Great. Wikipedia St. Gerasimus of the Jordan Google Maps Monastery of St. Gerasimus 17)  Beit Jamal (Jimal, Gemal) Monastery, Beit Shemesh.  This Catholic Monastery was built to honour the burial place of St. Stephen.  There is a small shop and Israel’s oldest Meteorological station (est. 1919). The grounds are a great place for a stroll and a picnic. Wikipedia Beit Jamal Monastery, Beit Shemesh Google Maps Beit Jamal Monastery, Beit Shemesh 18)  Latrun Trappist Monastery, Latrun. Around 25 kilometers west of Jerusalem and 42 kilometers east of Tel Aviv, just off of Highway 1, is the Latrun Trappist Monastery.  Beautiful buildings and a small shop.  Close by is the IDF Tank Museum and Mini-Israel. Wikipedia Latrun Trappist Monastery, Latrun Google Maps Latrun Trappist Monastery, Latrun

Have we Missed Something???

Or, do you have any questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please contact us from the menu button at the top of the page. And, if we have been helpful, please give us a Like on Facebook. Thank you!