Walked the stations during a recent trip to Jerusalem and really enjoyed the inspiring experience. Is it the exact path? Likely not, but some of the historical sites are likely the same as two thousand years ago. Worth a couple hours walking the stations.
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 1445 traveler reviewsNew
“Reading this and other reviews important beforehand”
I loved the experience, just loved having had the chance to see, feel and imagine what it was like at that time so many years ago. I wish that this experience could have been what it should be and not what it generally is. I'm talking about the present day crowds,...
MoreI loved the experience, just loved having had the chance to see, feel and imagine what it was like at that time so many years ago. I wish that this experience could have been what it should be and not what it generally is. I'm talking about the present day crowds, noise, the marketplace that takes place daily right smack in the middle of this whole experience. Too bad, because it deserves to be that, but it is what it is. I would say to sum it up, Better to have some expeience rather than none at all. I would do this one over if I had a second chance another time. That would be with a Christian group during an early or late day for the time period so that the experience could be experienced much better that way. We had a guide, which was helpful, but the busy marketplace definitely negatively affects it. In the meantime, I hope these reviews may help you to possibly have the even better experience.
LessNew
“Inspiring regardless of religion”
New
“It did not feel holy”
My first reaction was...this was Christ's path through crucifixion? Bazaars, stalls, restaurants, marketplace?