Mount of Olives

הר הזיתים / جبل الزيتون

A ridge east of the Old City. The summit viewpoint offers one of the best views of the Old City and its golden dome, and the slopes hold the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and an ancient Jewish cemetery.

The Mount of Olives lies east of the Old City, across the Kidron Valley, at about 820 m above sea level, and is significant in the three major religious traditions. The hillside holds a Jewish cemetery thousands of years old, one of the oldest Jewish burial grounds still in use in the world. In front of the Seven Arches Hotel at the summit is a lookout that is the classic spot for photographing the panorama of the Old City, with the golden Dome of the Rock, the city walls and the New City all in view. Walking down the slope, you pass in turn: the Chapel of the Ascension (traditionally where Jesus ascended to heaven); the Church of the Pater Noster, whose walls carry the Lord's Prayer in more than a hundred languages, including Chinese; the Dominus Flevit church, shaped like a teardrop, with a window that frames the Old City; and the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene, with its golden onion domes. At the foot of the hill are the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. The ancient olive trees in the garden are estimated to be nearly 1,000 years old. The recommended route is to take a taxi or bus to the top and then walk down, which takes about 1.5–2 hours. Once you reach the bottom, you can enter the Old City through Lion's Gate. Opening hours differ between churches, and most close for a midday break. The hillside path is steep and slippery when it rains. Before traveling, be sure to check the latest safety advisories from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local Chinese embassy or consulate.

Mount of Olives

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