The roof-top restaurant offers a great view of the city, and the hotel even offers a Shroud exhibition!
Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
Jerusalem’s magnificent Pontifical Institute Notre Dame is a towering French cathedral and guest house located across from the Old City’s New Gate. As the director of Notre Dame explains, the complex was built in the 1880’s in order to increase the flow of pilgrims to Jerusalem, and was part of an area called the “French Compound”.
The French “Notre Dame,” which means “Our Lady,” is a reference to the Virgin Mary, who is said to have been assumed into heaven in Jerusalem.
The structure was built on a 400-square-meter plot that was bought by the Count of Piellat, and combined classical and modernist architecture with a touch of eastern motifs thrown in for good measure. In 1893, five years after Notre Dame received its first pilgrims, the cornerstone for the chapel was laid. And in 1904, after 20 years of unceasing construction, the marvelous nave was completed and the outside of the church was crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary. During the War of Independence the building sustained heavy damage; a part of it was destroyed by explosions and became a guard post.
However, even after the situation quieted down, the center could no longer cope with the prohibitive maintenance costs, and was eventually turned over to the Vatican. Pope John Paul VI took the project under his wing, and in the late 1970’s, Notre Dame reopened as the Holy See’s international pilgrim center.
These days, Notre Dame is mostly used as a boutique guesthouse for pilgrims, who often attend the daily mass at 6:30 pm.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 73 traveler reviews“Notre Dame of Jerusalem - The Pontifical Institute”
On our visit to Jerusalem and The Holy Land last July, we attended an afternoon reception at the Notre Dame - Pontifical Institute of Jerusalem. Because we were there for the reception, we did not tour all of the institute but confined our visit to the rooftop terrace restaurant where the reception was held....
MoreOn our visit to Jerusalem and The Holy Land last July, we attended an afternoon reception at the Notre Dame - Pontifical Institute of Jerusalem. Because we were there for the reception, we did not tour all of the institute but confined our visit to the rooftop terrace restaurant where the reception was held. The food and atmosphere, and the location, of the reception was top-notch and could not have been any better - It was perfect. Even better than the reception was the outstanding view of the city from the rooftop of the institute. Overlooking the ancient city Walls right across from the Joppa (I think) Gate, the view must have been the very best in all of the city.
Less“The only place to stay in Jerusalem”
The only place to stay in Jerusalem, especially for those who are on pilgrimage, is the Notre Dame Center on Paratrooper Road. A large and well-maintained luxury hotel, Notre Dame Catholic center is the place for pilgrims. It is located across from the new gate of the old city of Jerusalem. I have been...
MoreThe only place to stay in Jerusalem, especially for those who are on pilgrimage, is the Notre Dame Center on Paratrooper Road. A large and well-maintained luxury hotel, Notre Dame Catholic center is the place for pilgrims. It is located across from the new gate of the old city of Jerusalem. I have been to the hotel no less than 14 times over the last decade and every experience has been as good or better than the last. The rooms are comfortable and the staff is amazing. The food is delicious. Let me especially mention a few people who are outstanding: Front desk— Abeer, Noor, Waled, George; Dining Room: Waled, Samer Housekeeping: everyone, esp. Tatiana. These are just a few of the many that work here. It is not only the ones I names but the many many more I haven’t mentioned here that are all excellent. All of them are excellent. You will cherish her stay at the Notre Dame Center. All of them work under Joseph’s find direction. And overseeing all the operation is Father David and Father Juan. If you’re lucky the one and only Father Kelly will be around as well. There’s no place like Notre Dame in Jerusalem. Highest recommendation. Sincerely, Doctor Steven Smith, United States (Mundelein Seminary, Chicago) PS every year we bring a large group of seminarians, approximately three dozen. It takes a great deal of coordination, organization, and drive to take care of that many people in a large group. They do it for MANY groups simultaneously every day.
Less“Excellent”