Chaotic unless you're there with a guide. The church is very crowded at all times. It's a.bit dark too. Overall, an interesting experience.
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 4577 traveler reviewsNew
“Chaotic”
New
“Two worlds colliding ”
Growing up catholic and now living with my Jewish husband and child being in this place was surreal. Extremely emotional. To see the exact place where Jesus was crucified, touch the slab of marble where his body was washed, to stand in the exact spot where is is buried. Never in my life...
MoreGrowing up catholic and now living with my Jewish husband and child being in this place was surreal. Extremely emotional. To see the exact place where Jesus was crucified, touch the slab of marble where his body was washed, to stand in the exact spot where is is buried. Never in my life did i think i would see this. There are no words for this beautiful church. A must for everyone.
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“Interesting place but not that great if you are not religious”
This is obviously very important to Christians and their is good historical significance to the place. However, if you are not that moved by the religious element, its only so so
New
“Must see in the old city.”
This church has some of the most impressive architecture in the old city. There ar supposedly several biblical stories associated with this church. One ironic thing is there are several different denominations that have joint ownership of the church. In the photo you will notice a ladder in one of the windows. Since the...
MoreThis church has some of the most impressive architecture in the old city. There ar supposedly several biblical stories associated with this church. One ironic thing is there are several different denominations that have joint ownership of the church. In the photo you will notice a ladder in one of the windows. Since the different denominations couldn't agree on certain repairs, this ladder has remained in the window since sometime in the 1800's.
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“Theatre or Holy Place”
We find Station 9 to Station 14 in the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, the last Stations in the life of the Savior. This church is always overcrowded and is a hotchpotch of chapels, alters, holy places etc. Six Christian denominations share this church and every denomination has its own chapel and its own...
MoreWe find Station 9 to Station 14 in the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, the last Stations in the life of the Savior. This church is always overcrowded and is a hotchpotch of chapels, alters, holy places etc. Six Christian denominations share this church and every denomination has its own chapel and its own opinion of where things really happened. Pilgrims bring their jewelleries, their crucifixes to have them blessed on the holy places, people take thousands of pictures etc. so it is difficult to have just a minimum of concentration or meditation on this holy place. So I do not know what to think about this place. I prefer to find a quiet place somewhere without people to pray and to meditate upon the sufferings, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ. This church does not contribute to strenghten my faith. On the other hand it is fascinating to see all the many ways of worship.
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