⛰️ Mount of Olives

About This Sacred Site

The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge east of Jerusalem's Old City, sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah will appear here and the resurrection of the dead will begin, which is why the mountain has been a Jewish burial ground for over 3,000 years, with an estimated 150,000 graves. For Christians, it is where Jesus ascended to heaven, where he wept over Jerusalem, and where he will return at the Second Coming. The Chapel of the Ascension marks the spot of Jesus's departure. For Muslims, a hadith states that the bridge to paradise (As-Sirat) will stretch from the Mount of Olives to the Temple Mount on Judgment Day. The panoramic view of Jerusalem's Old City from the summit is one of the most iconic vistas in the world.

Key Facts

• •Contains approximately 150,000 Jewish graves — the oldest in continuous use for 3,000+ years
• •Christians believe Jesus ascended to heaven from this mountain
• •Jews believe the resurrection of the dead will begin here when the Messiah comes
• •The Chapel of the Ascension contains what is said to be Jesus's last footprint
• •In Islamic tradition, the bridge to paradise spans from here to the Temple Mount

Location

Coordinates: 31.7781, 35.2455