I was really humbled at the tomb. You can sit outside and just reflect or pray. But you may also enter the tomb. I was surprised to see how small it was inside. I tought it would've been bigger then it was. I mean the place where Jesus' body would have been laid.
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 2368 traveler reviews“"He Is Risen!”
Interesting site claiming to be the actual location of the Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Within close proximity is "Golgotha" (Aramaic for Skull), bearing a resemblance to a skull on the face of a hill, which now unfortunately stands above a bus station. In 1842 Otto Thenius, a German Scholar, ...
MoreInteresting site claiming to be the actual location of the Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Within close proximity is "Golgotha" (Aramaic for Skull), bearing a resemblance to a skull on the face of a hill, which now unfortunately stands above a bus station. In 1842 Otto Thenius, a German Scholar, felt for numerous reasons that this was perhaps the true location as opposed to the traditional Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Having visited twice over the years, my first impression left me believing that this was the sacred location, yet upon my second visit, I felt that the traditional site designated in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine might likely be so. You must visit both locations, which will leave you with deep spiritual insights at each. The tomb is an extremely moving experience, and what is written as you leave the tomb which is carved into stone, will put a smile upon your face. The gardens are lovely and the perfect spot for prayer and Scriptural reading. Definitely make the visit.
Less“The Garden tomb is Beautiful”
“Great site”
This was an important site that we visited. I enjoyed it and the tour guide provided by the Garden Tomb was very good - knowledgable and communicated well