Tomb of the Virgin — Attraction in Jerusalem

In the Kidron Valley, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, near the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, lies Mary’s Tomb. But although most Eastern Christians believe this to be the actual grave site of the mother of Jesus, no one will claim that her remains are still there; according to Christian traditions, Mary ascended into heaven in bodily form. But while Catholics believe that Mary never died, Eastern Christians claim that she did die, was buried, and only ascended after her resurrection on the third day – like her son, Jesus.

Like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is said to have been buried, the church at Mary’s Tomb was initially built around the time of Constantine I in the 4th century AD. The shrine was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and the current structure was built by Franciscan friars in the second half of the 14th century. The Greek Orthodox Church is in possession of the complex but shares some of the rights to its use with other Christian denominations. Muslims, who also venerate Mary, have a special place for prayer in the building, marked by a mihrab (niche in the wall) that points to Mecca.

Mary’s Tomb is deep under the cruciform church, down a 12-century staircase that is flanked by the Chapel of St. Joseph (Mary’s husband) on one side and a chapel devoted to Mary’s parents on the other. Visitors must bend down in order to enter the crypt, where they are greeted by a brilliant display of religious icons and medieval art. Inside, pilgrims pray and light candles, lending the enclosure a profound aura of peace...

One of the important attractions at the foot of the Mount of Olives is the Tomb of the Virgin. Here visitors find a quarried tomb that is believed to be the burial location for the Virgin Mary.

The tomb likely dates back to the first century and gained prominence in the 5th and 6th century during the Byzantine period in Jerusalem. What you can see here is a courtyard, 12th century Crusader church facade as well as the small side entrance into the Grotto of Gethsemane, the location where it is believed that Judas betrayed Christ.

As you enter the Tomb of the Virgin, you descend a staircase nearly 50 steps into a open crypt. As you descend, pause to view the side tombs, which are believed to have been used for royal burials during the Crusader period.

At the bottom of the staircase, you will find iconic images of the Virgin Mary as well as a richly decorated edicule, situated upon the place believed to be where Mary was laid to rest. While smaller, this structure resembles the edicule at the Church of the Holy Sepruchre which marks the Tomb of Christ. Worshippers and visitors can enter, see, touch and stone bench within the Virgin Mary's Tomb.

You can conveniently visit the Tomb of Mary in 15-20 minutes while sightseeing in this area of the Mount of Olives. Its a moving location and attraction with tremendous historical and religious significance, making it worth visiting regardless of your faith...

Birthplace of Hazrat Maryam (عليها السلام) . The Church of Saint Anne also known as the Madrasa al-Salahiyya (مدرسة الصلاحيه), is a Roman Catholic church, located at the start of the Via Dolorosa, near the Lions' Gate and churches of the Flagellation and Condemnation, in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. . Her father’s name was Imran ibn Mathan. Her mother’s full name was Hannah bint Faqudh. They were both very religious and held a high status in the eyes of Allah (ﷻ). Hannah was deprived of a child until she reached old age. It so happened that once she was seated under the shade of a tree when she saw a bird feeding her little baby. She was moved by this sight, and wept supplicating to Allah (ﷻ) for a child of her own. She vowed that if she were to be gifted with one, she would offer the child for the services of the sanctuary, Bayt al-Maqdis. . She fell pregnant. Her husband, Imran, died before her delivery, therefore Maryam (عليها السلام) was born as a yatim (an orphan). Hannah took good care of her until she grew up, and to fulfill her oath, she offered her to the sanctuary. . The normal custom was that only males were offered in the service of the Bayt al-Maqdis. However, Maryam (عليها السلام) was accepted. All the worshippers wanted to look after her but Prophet Zakariyya (عليه السلام) was chosen to be her guardian because he...