Discover the Serenity
Journey to Gethsemane
Embark on a virtual pilgrimage to the tranquil garden of Gethsemane, a sacred site nestled on the Mount of Olives. Experience the rich history and spiritual significance of this ancient olive grove, where time seems to stand still.
This section contains photos of scenes on the way to the garden of Gethsemane and the garden itself. The garden at Gethsemane, a place whose name literally means “oil press,” is located on a slope of the Mount of Olives just across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. A garden of ancient olive trees stands there to this day.
Aloe plant.
Necropolis of the I-IV centuries a.d. with Judaeo-Christian sepulture of the I-II centuries. A necropolis is a large, designed cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. The stone boxes are ossuaries. An ossuary is a chest, box, building, well, or site made to serve as the final resting place of human skeletal remains. They are frequently used where burial space is scarce. A body is first buried in a temporary grave, then after some years the skeletal remains are removed and placed in an ossuary. The greatly reduced space taken up by an ossuary means that it is possible to store the remains of many more people in a single tomb than if the original coffins were left as is.
Another view of the necropolis.
Cactus and palm tree.
Church of Dominus Flevit. More information on this interesting Franciscan church can be found here.
Church of St Mary Magdalene. We did not get any closer for a better photo, as it wasn't on the tour path. More information about this Russian Orthodox church can be found here.
Agave plant.
Street leading to the garden of Gethsemane.
Street leading to the garden of Gethsemane.
Street leading to the garden of Gethsemane.
Russian Orthodox convent sign.
Flowering shrub on wall.
Olive tree, garden of Gethsemane.
Olive tree, garden of Gethsemane.
Olive trees and hollyhocks.
Sign showing details of garden of Gethsemane purchase.
Walkways in the garden.
In the garden, with the Basilica of the Agony (Church of All Nations) in the background.
Ancient olive tree.
Garden walkway.
Ancient olive tree
Sanctuary of Gethsemane sign telling the history of the Basilica.
Wall relief of Yeshua (Jesus) in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Ancient olive trees.
Walkway in different section of the garden.
Sign on rock. It translates as: "This garden of Gethsemani also called by the pilgrim Bordeaux "garden of betrayal and apprehension of Jesus." It's been renovated by the conservation of Holy Land and generosity of the families Callisto Tanzi - Giovanni Tanzi - Pietro Donzelli of Parma (Italy) A.D. 1980." The "pilgrim Bordeaux" was an anonymous pilgrim from Burdigala, present day Bordeaux, France, who traveled to Jerusalem 333 CE. The recording of his travels is known as the Itinerarium Burdigalense.
Church of All Nations.
Church of All Nations.
Church of All Nations. For more information about this church, click here.