Thousands of Christians travel to Israel each year to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. As the birthplace of Christianity, the country is rich with biblical and historical significance. Most of the sites mentioned in the Old and New Testaments are found in the Holy Land, from the Sea of Galilee to the Temple Mount.
Jesus lived in Roman Judea, walking the lands that are now known as Israel. He died and was buried in the Old City of Jerusalem and his apostles helped spread his teachings throughout the region. From there, Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and is now one of the largest world religions.
Many Christian pilgrimage tours offer convenient trips to the most important biblical sites in Israel. You can also plan your itinerary with the following list.
Six must-visit Christian sites in Israel
1. Temple Mount
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount is a flat plaza built on a hill surrounded by walls, including the Western Wall. It is an important site in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and is the site of the First Temple and the Second Temple.
Several of the events in the life of Jesus also occurred at the Temple Mount. To reach the site, you can travel through the Moroccan Gate. The other ten gates are not open to tourists or non-Muslims. The gate is near the Western Wall Plaza.
2. Tomb of the Virgin Mary
According to the holy tradition of Eastern Christian denominations, the tomb at the foot of Mount of Olives is the burial site of the Virgin Mary. Also called the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary is a large crypt under a fifth-century church.
To reach the tomb, you must pass through the façade of a basilica built in the twelfth century. Most of the crypt is cut from solid rock. It is a dark passageway with several shrines and small niches.
3. Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Of the various Christian sites in Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most important to the religion. The church was built in the fourth century over the site where Christians believed Jesus was buried and resurrected. It is found in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem at Golgotha Hill.
The tomb is enclosed by a shrine built in the nineteenth century.
The main entrance to the church is reachable via Christian Quarter Road, but you can also enter the complex from the Ethiopian Monastery nearby.
4. Via Dolorosa Street
Via Dolorosa Street is one of the most solemn historical sites in Israel where Jesus walked. It is not a street but rather a processional route that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The route leads from the former Antonia Fortress to the site of the crucifixion on Golgotha Hill (Mount Calvary), where you will find the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The route spans about 600 meters and includes nine Stations of the Cross. These stations depict Jesus on the day of the crucifixion, while another five stations are found inside the church at the end of the route.
Most of the route is lined with shops selling souvenirs and food or drinks. The outdoor path is open daily, but a large procession follows the route every Friday at 3 PM.
5. The Dead Sea
Some of the Christian sites in Israel are found outside Jerusalem. After touring the Christian sites in Jerusalem, travel east to the Dead Sea. The large body of saltwater found at the southern end of the Jordan River is mentioned sixteen times throughout the Bible, mostly to describe the borders of the land of Israel.
The Dead Sea is a short trip from Jerusalem, just 16 miles east of the city. As you approach, you will see a sea of Bedouin tents and small stores selling souvenirs. Beyond the tents are the various Dead Sea beaches, most of which remain open throughout the daytime. During holidays, you may find designated areas that allow overnight stays on the beach.
6. Qasr al-Yahud
If you want to visit historical sites in Israel where Jesus walked, add Qasr al-Yahud to your itinerary. According to tradition, it is the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It also marks the point where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.
Located in the West Bank, just southeast of Jericho, Qasr al-Yahud was reopened to the public in 2011 after an extensive renovation project. You can now walk down to the same waters where Jesus was baptized almost two thousand years ago.
