Trace Jesus' Footsteps From Jerusalem
Description
See the Church of the Ascension, the Old City and the Temple Mount area spread before us and imagine the Second Temple destroyed in 70 CE. Halfway down the mount, stop at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept as he foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem. In the convent of the Sisters of Zion's cellars, see a Second Temple water cistern and marvel at the engravings on the paving stones of the ancient street, the Lithostratos.
Itinerary
-
Mount Olivesexpand_more
Our first stop on Mount Olives is the Church of the Ascension. The remains of the original rotunda built around the rock from which Jesus is believed to have ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50-51) and the later Crusader octagonal church and dome are now in the courtyard of a mosque. At nearby Pater Noster, a Crusader cloister and grotto commemorating where Jesus preached the Lord’s Prayer, (Mat 6:9-14) we see those same words in one hundred and twenty-three languages.
-
Dominus Flevitexpand_more
Before beginning our walk down Mount Olives, we stop for a breathtaking view of Jerusalem, standing above the ancient Jewish cemetery. As if in the palm of our hand, we see the Old City and the Temple Mount area spread before us and imagine the Second Temple destroyed in 70 CE and Solomon’s Temple before that, destroyed in 586 BCE. Halfway down the mount, we stop at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept as he foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem. (Luke 19:41-44). Designed by Antonio Berluzzi, the windows behind the altar of this small church draw your eyes to the Temple Mount where the Second Temple stood in the time of Jesus.
-
Garden of Gethsemaneexpand_more
At the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, we recall he praying with the disciples until Judas's betrayal.
Crossing the Kidron Valley (the valley of Jehoshaphat), we enter the Old City through Lion’s gate and visit the pools of Bethesda (John 5:1-9) at the Church of St. Anne stopping to enjoy the wonderful acoustics in the austere Crusader church.
In the cellars of the convent of the Sisters of Zion, we will see a Second Temple water cistern and marvel at the engravings on the paving stones of the ancient street, the Lithostratos. Originally thought to have been the Praetorium's courtyard where Pontius Pilate presided, this is now dated to the second century together with the Ecce Homo arch built by Hadrian.
Know before you go
Departure on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Dress code: Shoulders to be covered / No shorts allowed.
Entrance fees not included. Have small change available.
This tour runs with a minimum of two participants.
Change of vehicle required for transfers of pick up / drop off destinations to save time, avoid traffic and delay.
There might be some delay (up to 20 minutes) due to traffic or other operational issues.
This tour is run with a minimum of two participants.
Recommended good walking shoes, hat & water.
Meeting Point
Pick up options can be selected at check out
Activity Level
Easy