This was so beautiful and so much to see. Long lines in some areas, so leave plenty of time to enjoy this remarkable church.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the most sacred site in the world for millions of Christians. This if the site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The church was built during the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine, who accepted Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. His mother, Saint Helena, toured the Holy Land and identified the sites in which the events mentioned in the New Testament took place. Helena identified this place as the Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. She also identified the burial plot of Joseph of Arimathea, who facilitated Jesus’ burial after he was taken down from the cross. Lying within the boundaries of the church are the last stations in Jesus’ Way of Grief- from the 9th to the 14th station.
Many changes took place in the church over the years, and it was formed into its current shape during the crusader era. During its early days in the Byzantine era, it was larger and known as “The Resurrection Church”, commemorating Jesus’ rise from the dead.
During the 13th century, the responsibility for opening the church and keeping the church’s keys was given to two Muslim families, and they are still, to this day, responsible for the church’s keys and its opening at dawn and closure at sunset. Most of the compound is held by the Catholic Church, the Armenian Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, with limited rights to the Syrian and Coptic Churches.
During the 19th century a status-quo agreement was signed between the various communities, defining the rights of prayer and ownership for the different communities involved in the church.
The church façade was designed during the crusader area. In the past, on top of the entrance arches, there were lintels decorated with crusader embossments. They are currently in the custodianship of the Rockefeller Museum. The bell tower on the left side was also built during the crusader era. For many of the tourists visiting this place, this is the highlight of their visit to the Holy Land.
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism, by Noam Chen
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 6454 traveler reviewsNew
“Very Emotional”
The church is built on the holiest sights for christians. Jesus's crucifixion, and his resurrection. It was commissioned by Helena ( Constantine the Great's mother ), built in the early 4th century, damaged and rebuilt in the early 7th century. It is built over the Calvary and Golgotha. As you enter the church,...
MoreThe church is built on the holiest sights for christians. Jesus's crucifixion, and his resurrection. It was commissioned by Helena ( Constantine the Great's mother ), built in the early 4th century, damaged and rebuilt in the early 7th century. It is built over the Calvary and Golgotha. As you enter the church, a large slab of marble is on display where Jesus is supposed to have been laid after he came off the cross. To your right, up the stairs is the Greek orthodox area and the site where Jesus was crucified. To the left is the Armenian area and Jesus's tomb. Throughout the church are little chapels and praying areas. It was crowded and there were lines everywhere. I suggest to go early or late. As a christian this was a surreal experience. To actually see and feel what you read in the Bible come true is an unexplainable feeling. you have to experience it for yourself to understand. I think every christian should go at least once. I give it my GoldnAdvice seal of approval.
Less“Get in early”
We arrived at the church before 09:00 and did not encounter any lines. This is a must see for Christians coming to Jerusalem. Do read up about the wooden ladder on the outside as well as on what to see on the inside as one can easily miss significant sections or objects as they...
MoreWe arrived at the church before 09:00 and did not encounter any lines. This is a must see for Christians coming to Jerusalem. Do read up about the wooden ladder on the outside as well as on what to see on the inside as one can easily miss significant sections or objects as they are not marked as such.
Less“Holy Sepulchre ”