Mount of Olives, Jerusalem – Pilgrimage Route

According to Zechariah, when the Messiah returns on Judgment Day, God will begin resurrecting the dead from the Mount of Olives—essentially the "VIP section" for the apocalypse. Countless Jews choose to be buried here, and the hill is studded with churches tied to biblical events, all while offering panoramic views of Jerusalem’s Old City. 🚌 How to Get There From the Arab Central Bus Station near Herod’s Gate, take Bus 275 intending to reach the Chapel of the Ascension at the summit for a top-down route. A Cultural Misstep: Friendly Arab passengers, hearing "Ascension," insisted we disembark at a small, crumbling mosque (Dome of the Ascension, Pic 1)—where Muslims believe Prophet Isa (Jesus) ascended. Inside, only a footprint (right foot; the left is in Al-Aqsa Mosque) marks the spot. This detour revealed the deep religious divides: Arabs and Israelis share the land but define its sanctity in irreconcilable ways. ⛪ Key Stops 1️⃣ Augusta Victoria Church & Hospital (Pics 2-4) The actual first stop. Built by Germans in 1898, named after Kaiser Wilhelm II’s wife, with epic city views. 2️⃣ Church of Mary Magdalen (Closed) A Russian Orthodox gem (1888) with golden onion domes. 3️⃣ Church of All Nations (Pics 5-7) Franciscan church marking where Jesus prayed before betrayal (the "Agony in the Garden"). 4️⃣ Garden of Gethsemane (Pic 8) Where Jesus was arrested, with ancient olive trees (Gethsemane = "oil press" in Hebrew). 5️⃣ Jewish Cemetery (Pics 9-10) A sea of tombstones facing the Temple Mount. 6️⃣ Dominus Flevit ("The Lord Wept") (Pics 11-12) A 1950s teardrop-shaped chapel with a vista of the Temple Mount. 7️⃣ Tomb of the Virgin Mary A Byzantine-era crypt where pilgrims touch the stone coffin, leave money, and pray by candlelight. 💡 Tips Wear sturdy shoes—steep, uneven paths. Best time: Early morning to avoid heat and crowds. #Israel #Jerusalem #MountOfOlives #HolyLand