The Mount of Olives is a limestone ridge east of Jerusalem's Old City, standing approximately 826 meters above sea level. Named for ancient olive groves that covered its slopes, it holds profound religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The mountain houses the world's oldest continually used cemetery and features important biblical sites including the Garden of Gethsemane.
The mount of olives is a limestone ridge that rises 818 meters above sea level just east of Jerusalem’s Old City, and if you expect to see olives here, don’t, the name comes from a time long by. What you will find is a 1.5-kilometer ridge where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have all left their mark over more than 3,000 years of continuous use.
Where exactly is the mount of olives?
The ridge runs approximately 1.5 kilometers east of the Old City, separated from the Temple Mount by the Kidron Valley. It is part of the larger Judean Mountains chain and has three distinct peaks: the northern summit with the Augusta Victoria complex, the central peak with the main cluster of churches, and the southern slope covered by the Jewish cemetery.
From the Rehavam Zeevi viewpoint at the central peak, the view across the valley takes in the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, and the Golden Gate and Lion’s Gate in a single glance. Come after sunrise when the sun is behind you and you can see the Old City in all its glory without squinting into the light, or come at sunset, when the colors across the limestone walls are completely different.
How do visitors get to and around the mount of olives?
Parking on the ridge is minimal. The recommended approach is to park at the Zion Gate parking lot, a ten-minute walk from the end point of the route, and take a taxi to the Chapel of the Ascension at the top. Most visitors start there and walk downhill through the main sites, finishing at Mary’s Tomb and entering the Old City through the Lion’s Gate at the Kidron Valley. The route covers the greatest number of sites with the least climbing.
Steps at the north end of the Rehavam Zeevi viewpoint lead down the mountain, but they end before the bottom and give way to a very steep descent. Take care on that section, especially in wet weather.
By bus, take a line to the Dung Gate and catch a taxi from there to the starting point at the top of the ridge. The taxi ride is short and saves a significant uphill walk in open sun.
Why does the mount of olives matter to three faiths?
Few places on earth are sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam at the same time. On this ridge, each tradition has built its own physical presence, cemeteries, churches, a mosque, a hospital, and each has a distinct reason for treating the ground as holy.
Judaism
The Jewish cemetery on the western and southern slopes is the oldest continuously used burial ground in the world, with graves going back more than 3,000 years to the First Temple period. The Talmud names this ridge as the place where resurrection of the dead will begin in the messianic age, which is why burial here has been sought by Jewish communities across the diaspora for centuries.
The prophet Zechariah wrote that the Messiah’s feet would touch this very ground, splitting the mount in two. Each year on Tisha B’Av, thousands gather on the slopes to mourn the Temple’s destruction while looking directly across the Kidron Valley toward the Temple Mount. The cemetery now holds over 150,000 graves, including those of Rabbi Ovadiah of Bertinoro, Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, and former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
Christianity
The mount of olives has more sites directly connected to Jesus’ life than any other location outside the Old City walls. The Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ longest prophetic teaching recorded in the Gospels, was delivered from this ridge with the Temple visible below. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem from Bethany ran along this slope, and he spent his final week teaching here regularly.
Empress Helena built the first Christian church on the mount in 326 CE, establishing a pilgrimage tradition that has continued without interruption. Christian tradition places the Ascension of Jesus on this ridge, making it central to Christian eschatology and a destination for pilgrims from every denomination.
Islam
Islamic tradition teaches that on the Day of Judgment, a bridge called As-Sirat will span from the mount of olives to the Temple Mount. This bridge, described as thinner than a hair and sharper than a sword, is the path souls must cross to reach paradise, with the righteous crossing swiftly and the sinful struggling. The mount’s proximity to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina, gives it an additional layer of significance in Islamic theology and pilgrimage.
What can be seen on the mount of olives?
The central slope and its base hold the densest concentration of Christian churches in Jerusalem. If you want to see that many churches in one walk, each with a distinct architectural identity and a specific Gospel connection, this is the place to come.
- Chapel of the Ascension — Originally an octagonal church built by Empress Helena in the 4th century, it was converted into a mosque by Saladin in 1187. The interior stone preserves what tradition identifies as Christ’s final footprint before his Ascension. Both Christians and Muslims venerate the site today, maintaining an unusual interfaith arrangement that has lasted more than 800 years.
- Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony) — Architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this basilica in 1924 over Byzantine and Crusader predecessors. The church preserves a prominent limestone rock where tradition places Jesus’ agonizing prayer before his arrest. Twelve national flags on the facade represent the countries that funded construction. The interior maintains deliberately dim lighting to recreate the atmosphere of a nighttime vigil.
- Dominus Flevit — This teardrop-shaped chapel, also designed by Antonio Barluzzi, marks the spot described in Luke 19:41 where Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s future destruction. The altar window frames the Dome of the Rock and the Old City directly across the valley, making it one of the most photographed compositions in Jerusalem. Excavations here uncovered a 1st-century Jewish cemetery; the ossuaries are on display in the chapel museum.
- Pater Noster (Church of the Lord’s Prayer) — This Carmelite convent stands on the foundations of Empress Helena’s 4th-century Eleona Basilica, the traditional site where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. The cloister walls display the prayer in over 140 languages, from ancient scripts to modern translations. An unfinished basilica begun in 1920 stands on the grounds, it was intended to be Jerusalem’s largest church and was never completed.
- Garden of Gethsemane — Eight ancient olive trees occupy approximately 1,200 square meters at the foot of the ridge, maintained by Franciscan friars since 1681. DNA analysis has confirmed the trees are genetically identical, likely offshoots from a single ancient parent. Scientific dating puts them at least 900 years old. The adjacent Grotto of Gethsemane marks the traditional site of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. Entry is free; the space is kept for quiet contemplation.
- Church of Mary Magdalene — Tsar Alexander III commissioned this Russian Orthodox church in 1888 in memory of his mother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Its seven gold onion domes are among the most recognizable features on the Jerusalem skyline. The church holds the remains of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, killed during the Russian Revolution and later canonized as a saint.
- Augusta Victoria Hospital — This German Lutheran complex was completed in 1910 as a hospice for German pilgrims and named after Kaiser Wilhelm II’s wife. During World War I it housed Turkish and German military headquarters. The 57-meter tower gives panoramic views across Jerusalem when open to visitors. It now operates as a hospital, specialising in cancer treatment and kidney dialysis.
Additional Information
What is the mount of olives in the Bible?
The mount of olives appears across both testaments. Zechariah 14 names it as the site of the Messiah’s return. In the New Testament, Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse from its summit, prayed in Gethsemane at its base, and, according to Acts 1, ascended to heaven from this ridge.
How long does it take to climb the mount of olives?
The uphill walk from the Kidron Valley floor to the Rehavam Zeevi viewpoint takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes on foot. Most visitors take a taxi to the top and walk downhill through the sites, covering the full route in 2 to 3 hours depending on time spent inside each church.
Are the mount of olives and Gethsemane the same place?
No. Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the mount of olives, not on the ridge itself. The name Gethsemane comes from the Aramaic for “oil press,” which points to the olive groves that once covered the entire area. The garden sits just above the Kidron Valley floor.
How do I get to the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem Old City?
The most common route involves exiting through Lion’s Gate and walking east across the Kidron Valley, a 10-15 minute uphill climb. Alternatively, take bus lines 275 or 99 from the Central Bus Station to various stops along the mount. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available from any location in Jerusalem.
What is the best time to visit Mount of Olives Jerusalem?
Early morning (7-9 AM) and late afternoon (3-5 PM) offer the best lighting for photography and cooler temperatures for walking. Sunset provides spectacular views of the Old City’s golden stones. Avoid midday visits during summer months when temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F) with little shade available.
Why did Jesus choose the mount of olives?
The Gospels record that Jesus used the ridge regularly because it was directly across from the Temple and a short walk from Bethany, where friends including Lazarus lived. Jewish apocalyptic tradition, rooted in Zechariah, already associated the mount with the end of days, giving his teachings there a deliberate setting.
Can I see the Temple Mount from Mount of Olives Jerusalem?
The Mount of Olives provides the most spectacular and accessible views of the Temple Mount, with the golden Dome of the Rock and silver-domed Al-Aqsa Mosque clearly visible across the Kidron Valley. The viewpoint near the Seven Arches Hotel offers the most photographed panorama, especially stunning during sunrise and sunset hours.
Nearby Sites
The Tombs of the Kidron Valley: The Kidron Valley is filled with old tombs carved into the rocks. These include the Tomb of Absalom, and the Tomb of Benei Hezir.
The Virgin Mary’s Tomb: Once below a Crusader’s church, this grotto is believed to be Mary’s final resting place.
The Gates of the Old City: Jerusalem’s Old City has these ancient gates, each with its own tale. The gate in the east are the Lion’s Gate and the Golden Gate.
Temple Mount Sifting Project: This project involves sifting through dirt from the Temple Mount. It is possible to join for a few hours.
Part of our Christian Pilgrimage Guide →
