We were in group there last week. That is the Place where Jusuf from Arimathea put the body of Jesus after He was crucified and dies. Very sacred place for me.
The Garden Tomb
In the 19th century, scholars began to challenge the Christian tradition that put the site of Jesus’s burial and resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City’s Christian Quarter. Many Protestants also had their doubts – in large part because the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was the site sanctioned by the Roman Catholic establishment.
It was Major General Charles Gordon, a British officer and administrator, who picked up the gauntlet and began searching for an alternative site. In 1883, Gordon found a rocky escarpment near Damascus Gate. The fact that the escarpment resembled a skull suggested to Gordon that he had stumbled upon the true Golgotha, which may have been derived from the Hebrew and Aramaic for ‘skull.’ He also concluded that one of several tombs uncovered nearby in 1869 had to be the tomb of Jesus. John the Evangelist specifies that the tomb was located in a garden, and the site identified by Gordon contained an ancient cistern and a wine press; hence the name Garden Tomb (it’s also known as Gordon’s Calvary).
Despite the fact that archaeologists (not to mention the Catholic Church) have yet to embrace the Garden Tomb as the site of Jesus’ burial, the spot has become a popular Protestant place of pilgrimage. It is a quiet place, perfect for prayer and reflection.
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Tourism, by Noam Chen
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 2062 traveler reviewsNew
“Very Sacred Place”
New
“know what it is before you go, but lovely”
Protestants and Evangelicals consistently tell me this is one of their favorite parts of a visit to Jerusalem. I didn't find it so but I seem to be in the minority. For a hot minute, people thought this might be where Christ was buried...but historically it's not. Props to the guides...
MoreProtestants and Evangelicals consistently tell me this is one of their favorite parts of a visit to Jerusalem. I didn't find it so but I seem to be in the minority. For a hot minute, people thought this might be where Christ was buried...but historically it's not. Props to the guides there (you have to use one of their guides on site) for being honest about what it is. Ours had a very evangelical focus so if you aren't a Christian be prepared (although they did NOT proselytize as per Israeli law). Tomb itself is from 800 BC; I wish it were simply advertised as such as that's interesting in its own right. Major reason for stopping is atmospheric, not historical. Free but visits are often arranged ahead of time with timed entry. Not my cup of tea but very well organized and a powerful experience for others.
LessNew
“Pleasant garden, well worth a visit”
This beautiful garden is a great place to stroll around, or to just sit and relax. It is very popular with Christian pilgrims so can be busy at times.