I did not enjoy this experience at all with people throwing themselves on a stone that may or may not be one that Jesus laid on. I'm a Christian and found it all Just a bit over the top for me. Wont visit there again.
The Via Dolorosa
Jesus’ path from the place where he was sentenced to the location of the crucifixion is called in the Christion tradition “The Way of Grief”. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Passover eve with his students. After dining with them, Jesus and his students went to “Gathsemane”, where he was seized and handed over to the Romans. After that, Jesus was judged by the Roman governor Pontius Pilatus, and was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
This event occurred at the end of the Second Temple era, but the tradition that identifies this location as the Via Dolorosa evolved later, during the 13th century. This trail includes 14 stations that commemorate events depicted in the new testament and in later traditions. The last 5 stations in Via Dolorosa are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The trail starts where the trial took place, where Jesus walked carrying the cross on his back, and continues to the site of the crucifixion- the Golgotha Hill, which is believed by most churches to be inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
On Fridays at noon, a procession of Franciscan monks starts from the first station of the Via Dolorosa, followed by many believers along the path up to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 1009 traveler reviewsNew
“The Way of the Cross, a noisy experience”
If you expect to find peace and tranquility on Via Dolorosa you will be disappointed. The way of the cross with its 14 stations is a mixture of all things, shouting people, trade and shops, small bars, Israeli police, so time and place for meditation you will have to seek elsewhere. Nobody knows if...
MoreIf you expect to find peace and tranquility on Via Dolorosa you will be disappointed. The way of the cross with its 14 stations is a mixture of all things, shouting people, trade and shops, small bars, Israeli police, so time and place for meditation you will have to seek elsewhere. Nobody knows if this route was the way the Savior followed to the cross. But every station on the way is marked and tells what was supposed to happen here. If you can ignore all this it is very interesting to follow the 14 stations and observe the pluralistic life of Jerusalem
LessNew
“Commercialised”
“Use your imagination!”
Use your imagination but add the site was it is seen. We walked through the 14 stations of the cross. Each was unique and a lot of history behind this. Highly recommended.
“Must use your imagination on this route”
It was fascinating to walk the way of the cross and to imagine Jesus carrying his cross to his death. However, all the shops and shopkeepers detracted from this being as spiritual as I had hoped. I was also surprised to be handed a brochure about Islam while walking near the second...
MoreIt was fascinating to walk the way of the cross and to imagine Jesus carrying his cross to his death. However, all the shops and shopkeepers detracted from this being as spiritual as I had hoped. I was also surprised to be handed a brochure about Islam while walking near the second station, by the mosque there. Free speech and all that, I guess, but it struck me as a bit disrespectful.
Less“Interesting”
It's ok. Busy on Friday but otherwise quiet. If you're a devoted Catholic then it's a must. We found it a safe place in the Muslim Quarter.