Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Mount of Olives
Rising on the eastern side of Jerusalem, the
Mount of Olives offers magnificent views
of the Dome of the Rock and the Old City.
Now best known as the scene of Christ's Agony
and betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane and
his Ascension into Heaven, this prominent hill
has always been a holy place to the inhabitants
of the city. The Jebusites dug tombs here as early as
2400 BC, as later did Jews, Christians and Muslims. To take
in all the sights it is wisest to start at the top, near the
Mosque of the Ascension, and walk downhill to the Tomb
of the Virgin. The Old City views are best in the morning.
Mosaic,
Dominus
Flevit Chapel
Dominus Flevit Chapel
The chapel's west win
frames a
The Cave of
Gethsemane
is
the traditional
site of Christ's
betrayal by Jud
.
Tomb of the Virgin
An impressive flight of Crusader s
leads into the cruciform undergro
church. Tradition says this is whe
the Virgin Mary was laid to rest
8
.
Church of All Nations
Mosaics, predominantly in blues
and greens, decorate the 12 domes
of this church, built in 1924 with
donations from many countries
7
Church of
St Mary Magdalene
This Russian Orthodox
Church, with typically
Muscovite gilded onion
domes, was built by
Tsar Alexander III in
memory of his mother,
whose patron saint was
Mary Magdalene
6
STAR SIGHTS
.
Tomb of the Virgin
. Church of All
Nations
.
Church of the
Paternoster
For hotels in this area see p256
