Tomb of the Virgin Mary, Jerusalem

Tucked away in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, just beyond the City Walls and alongside Gethsemane, lies a sanctuary steeped in mystique: the underground chamber believed to be the resting place of the Virgin Mary. What sets this site apart is its unique entrance 鈥� a descent down nearly 50 Crusader-built steps, a symbolic journey into the depths of faith.

The unassuming facade belies the rich history within, marked by the grand staircase erected by the Crusaders and the side tombs halfway down, purportedly reserved for royal burials during the 12th century. Among these, the tomb on the right, descending, holds special reverence as the resting place of Saints Anne and Joachim, parents of Mary.

The roots of this sanctum trace back to the 1st century AD, with the current cruciform crypt, predominantly hewn from solid rock, reflecting Byzantine craftsmanship. Within its eastern branch, adorned with icons and embellishments, stands the Tomb of Mary, a focal point of veneration for Armenian, Greek, Coptic, and Syrian Christians alike. Interestingly, Muslims also hold this site sacred, as legend has it that Muhammad witnessed a divine light emanating from the tomb of his "sister Mary" during his Night Journey to Jerusalem. Outside, adjacent to the facade, lies the Cave of Gethsemane, also known as the Cave of the Betrayal, where tradition places Judas's infamous act.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Jerusalem. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Tomb of the Virgin Mary
Sight Location: Jerusalem, Israel (See walking tours in Jerusalem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Jerusalem, Israel

Create Your Own Walk in Jerusalem

Creating your own self-guided walk in Jerusalem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Jerusalem City Gates Walking Tour

Historians believe that the Old City of Jerusalem probably came into being more than 4,500 years ago. The defensive wall around it features a number of gates built on the order of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the first half of the 16th century, each of which is an attraction in its own right. Until as recently as 1870, they were all closed from sunset to sunrise; nowadays, just... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Muslim Quarter & Temple Mount Tour

The largest, most populous and perhaps most chaotic of all Jerusalem鈥檚 quarters, the Muslim Quarter is worth exploring for its unique atmosphere. Spending a day here may take you back to a simpler time, but be prepared for many sights and sounds as you pass many vendors, stores and restaurants on your way from site to site.

Some of the city鈥檚 most interesting city gates (Damascus and... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Christian Quarter Walking Tour

One of the epicenters of worldwide Christianity, the Christian Quarter is the 2nd-largest of Jerusalem鈥檚 four ancient quarters. A fascinating place to stroll through, it covers the Old City鈥檚 northwestern part, just beyond Jaffa Gate 鈥� the traditional pilgrim鈥檚 entrance to Jerusalem and a prime destination for most visitors.

With its tangle of broad streets and winding, narrow alleys,... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Entirely rebuilt in the 1980s after having been largely destroyed during the 1948 War, the Jewish Quarter is quite distinct from the rest of the Old City. Good signposting, spacious passageways, art galleries and a somewhat less buzzing atmosphere make the area a relaxing place to spend some time.

With its rebuilt residential buildings, some almost consider this area the "New... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles

Mount Zion Walking Tour

For those interested in religion and history, Mount Zion offers several unique sights that are situated in close proximity to each other. An important place for Christians, Jews as well as Muslims, it holds important constructions dating from the 20th century as well as a compound built by the Crusaders that marks the spot of both King David鈥檚 tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. How... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

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