The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

Over 800 meters high, the Mount of Olives is one of the most famous hills in the city of Jerusalem. In front of the old city and in the eastern part of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives is grounded beneath the Temple Mount in the Kidron Valley.

Named after the olive trees that have grown there for millennia, this hill was mentioned many times in the Bible, often when related to the kings of the Jewish people. Besides its amazing view of the city of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives is a symbolic place for the three major religions and faces the huge cemetery that covers most of the space of the Mount of Olives on its western side.

A unique mount

Evoked several times in the Bible, the Mount of Olives has a special place in both Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions. It is the oil produced by its olive trees which was used to anoint the High Priests and the kings of Israel. When the Temple of Jerusalem was first destroyed Jews went on pilgrimage to the mount.

Various Jewish prophecies also appointed the Mount of Olives as the place chosen by G-d for the Last Judgment. Pursuant to this belief, many Jews asked to be buried on the Mount in order to be the first to be resurrected from the dead. The site now houses the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery in the world. Today it has over 150,000 graves including many of the great personalities of the modern Jewish history.

The Mount of Olives was also mentioned at some key periods in Jesus' life. It is here that he taught the prayer of "Our Father who is in Heaven" to his disciples. This event is commemorated by the Cave of the Pater in the Church of the Pater Noster.

It is also from here that Jesus gazed upon Jerusalem and wept over the prophecy of its near destruction as well as that of the Temple; this event is commemorated in the Dominus Flevit Church. The Sanctuary of Bethphage commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city on his colt, cheered by a crowd.

At the top of the Mount of Olives stands the Dome of Ascension which commemorates the ascent to the sky of Christ. This dome is both a mosque and a church (for Muslims, Jesus or Isa is one of the 5 main prophets of Islam). Under the dome we can find a footprint left by Jesus when rising to the sky. From top to bottom, the Mount of Olives is rich with many other Christian sites like the Tomb of Mary, which are also to be discovered at the feet of the mount.

A complete guided tour of the site

The Mount of Olives is part of the city of Jerusalem and it is open at any time of day or night. You should schedule your visit to the churches individually. You may find on-site local guides who will offer a full guided tour to sites on the Mount of Olives or wander in the Kidron Valley.

A visit to the Mount of Olives will offer you an amazing visit to unique sites, rich in history and symbols while enjoying an exceptional view of the city of Jerusalem.