Major Places of Worship in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is central to the three major world monotheistic religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – and over the years various sects have built many renowned places of worship. Below we highlight some of the most visited synagogues, mosques, churches, or other places of worship.

Jewish

Western Wall (the Kotel)

The most sacred place of worship in Judaism, The Western Wall is the only standing wall from the last Holy Temple complex, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Hurva Synagogue

Meaning, "the ruined", Hurva Synagogue was illustriously renewed in 2010, and has a history of destruction and revival.

HaAri Synagogue

Located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

Four Sephardic Synagogues

These 4 synagogues are located in the same complex in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. The 4 Sephardic Synagogues were built during the 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th centuries, but were subsequently destroyed and made into horse stables during the War of Independence in 1948. The complex was restored beginning after the Six-Day War in 1967. Jewish Quarter, Old City.

The Great Synagogue

Well known for its grandiosity both for its edifice and renowned professional choir singers, the Great Synagogue is located on the central King George Street near the city center.

Belz Great Synagogue

Modeled after the Second Temple, this Hasidic sect's synagogue can be viewed from afar, and is lit up at night.  The Belz Great Synagogue is located at 2 Dover Shalom Street, Northern Jerusalem.

Synagogues in Nachlaot -  Around 100 synagogues in a 120-year-old neighborhood, such as the Syrian (Aleppo) Ades synagogue. Part of any Nachlaot tour. City Center area.

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Muslim

In Jerusalem, the two oft-visited places of worship for Muslims are both on the Temple Mount, located on the cusp of the Muslim & Jewish Quarters in the Old City.

Dome of the Rock

The iconic Dome of the Rock is often mistaken for a mosque, but it is actually a sacred place housing the Foundation Stone from which Muslim tradition holds Muhammed ascended to heaven. Jews believe it was around the same spot on which Abraham bound Isaac on the altar, and was later the Temple's Holy of Holies. Today only Muslims pray here, although people of any faith visit.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

-The second-oldest mosque in the world, al-Aqsa Mosque can house an astounding 400,000 worshipers.

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Christian

Churches established themselves in Jerusalem mostly from Crusader times onward, and their leaderships maintain these buildings year-round, often hosting pilgrims, theology students, and other tourists.

It is highly recommended to take a guided tour to make sure you visit all the places of importance. The Old City of Jerusalem is a half day tour that will take you to a journey in the old city and it's places of worship. If you want to pay a visit to the birthplace of Jesus Christ, make sure to book the Jerusalem & Bethlehem one day tour that will take you both to the Old City and the holy places of Bethlehem.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

According to Catholic teachings, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter of the Old City stands on the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

Church of St. John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist in the Old city is the oldest Church in Jerusalem.

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

Built in the late 19^th century, the Church of the Redeemer is the Old City's only Protestant church.

Christ Church

This Anglican church in the Old City has a tunnel underneath tunnel that dates back to the Second Temple Period.

Ethiopian Church

Representing over 1500 years of Ethiopian Christian presence in Jerusalem, the Ethiopian Church in the Old City is a quiet oasis outside of Easter time.

Notre Dame

Under the auspices of the Vatican, the grand Notre Dame cathedral and guesthouse, located across from the Old City's New Gate, hosts pilgrims and tourists.

St. Andrew's Church

St. Andrews Church and the guesthouse were established by Scots in the late 1920s as memorials to fellow soldiers killed in WWI at the time of the British Mandate. It is located near the German Colony on David Remez Street.

Dominus Flevit Church

Designed in a teardrop shape, this church on the Mount of Olives was built upon the site where Jesus is said to have wept about the impending destruction of the Second Temple.

Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)

Built atop previous churches, several countries funded this magnificently decorated church in the 1920s. The Church of All Nations is located on the Mount of Olives.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension (Augusta Victoria complex)

Located on Mount Scopus, this church is also a specialized care hospital and Lutheran guesthouse with impressive architecture.

Church of St. John the Baptist (Ein Karem)

The Church of St. John the Baptist in the pastoral Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Karem is another church built in honor of St. John, who was born in Ein Karem

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