Don’t Miss a Tour of the Mount of Olives
A trip to Israel is incomplete without touring the Mount of Olives. It is located east of Jerusalem’s Old City and looks across the Kidron Valley to Temple Mount. The Mount of Olives has a rich history and features in numerous biblical stories. A Jerusalem tour often starts at the Mount of Olives observation point where there are stunning views across the city.
Christian Landmarks on the Mount of Olives
Several New Testament events took place on the Mount of Olives, and each is marked by a church or chapel.
- Church of the Ascension, where Jesus ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50-51).
- Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene, built in 1888.
- Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony), where Christ prayed on the night of his arrest.
- The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested on the night before his crucifixion.
- Dominus Flevit Chapel, where Jesus wept as he foresaw Jerusalem’s future.
- Pater Noster Church, where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery
The Mount of Olives is home to the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery in the world. The 120,000 graves include many prominent historical and religious figures. Jewish tradition holds that the Messiah will come from the Mount of Olives and enter Jerusalem.
Why is the Mount of Olives Sacred to Muslims?
According to Islamic tradition, the black stone of Kaaba in Mecca will return to the Mount of Olives to unite with the rock in the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount.
Mount of Olives Private Tour
As you drive towards the Old City, you’ll get an unforgettable view of the Mount of Olives, with the stunning mosaic of the Church of All Nations, and the gold domes of the Russian church. Don’t miss discovering the sites on the Mount of Olives with a Jerusalem private tour.
