Jerusalem holds several sites that are important to Christians and have great religious significance from both the Old and the New Testaments.
Garden of Gethsemane
According to the Gospels, the Garden of Gethsemane situated on a slope on the Mount of Olives in the Holy Land was a place that Jesus and his disciples frequently visited to pray. It is also the place where Jesus was betrayed and arrested on the night before his crucifixion. Some of the world’s oldest olive trees dating back more than 2000 years are found in this spot today and possibly were young saplings on that night that followed the Last Supper when Jesus came to this olive grove with his disciples. This site is visited regularly by Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land.
Church of All Nations
The Roman Catholic Church of All Nations is situated next to the Garden of Gethsemane on the slopes of the Mount of Olives (also known as the Basilica of the Agony). It was built between 1919 and 1924 on the site of a 4th century Byzantine Basilica destroyed by an earthquake and later a Crusader chapel that was abandoned. It was designed by the architect Antonio Barluzzi. It is noted for the shimmering gold leaf mosaics that mark the frontage that depicts Jesus carrying the suffering of the world.
Via Dolorosa
The mile-long route of the Via Dolorosa that runs through the Old City of Jerusalem in the Holy Land leads from the Antonia Fortress to Golgotha (Calvary), which was the place of the crucifixion. At each of the 14 Stations of the Cross that mark the Via Dolorosa, a marker or chapel depicts Jesus’s final journey. Christians of all denominations follow this route as part of their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher stands at the traditional site of Calvary.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher stands at the traditional site of Calvary. It is the most significant pilgrimage destination for orthodox Christians and is recognized as the Hill of Calvary (Golgotha), where Jesus was crucified and buried. Christian pilgrims have been visiting this site for centuries. The Sepulcher itself is contained within the rotunda and is surrounded by columns that support an adorned, domed roof. The Church itself was neglected for many years, and renovations are still ongoing; however, the building has already regained much of its former beauty.
Hall of the Last Supper
The room of the Last Supper is located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, directly above the Tomb of David. It is also called the Coenaculum or Cenacle. According to Christian tradition, it was here that Jesus sat with his disciples on the last Passover Night before his capture, trial, and crucifixion.