Mount of Olives

There are three peaks of the 3.5 km mountain ridge that runs across the Kidron Valley and east of the Old City of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives is one of them. It is the southern summit and it is 808 meters above sea level, the other two are 806 meters and 820 meters, the latest called Mount Scopus. 

The ridge was formed by oceanic sedimentary rock from the late cretaceous geological period, so it contains elements such as hard flint and soft chalk. 

The Mount of Olives has been used by Jews as a cemetery for over 3 thousand years and it is estimated to hold around 150.000 graves. The reason for that specific spot is an ancient Jewish tradition that says that the messianic era will start there. The mount was mentioned for the first time in the Bible in 2 Samuel 15 and it was mentioned many times in the New Testament because many important events on Jesus´s life took place there. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before being betrayed by Judas is located on the Western slopes and Jesus’ ascension to heaven after his resurrection was reported to have happened from the Mount of Olives near Bethany. For these reasons the site is a pilgrimage spot since ancient times for Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Protestants.  

There are a couple of churches located on the Mount of Olives, some built in the IV century, including a joint Christian church and mosque.

Visitors start their visit of the Mount of Olives by the Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the mount, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of Jerusalem. Besides religious importance, the garden has some of the oldest olive trees in the world; they are over two thousand years old. 

After or before visiting the Mount of Olives and having the Gethsemane Garden as starting point, visitors want to see the Church of All Nations, built over the rock on which is believed where Jesus prayed the night prior his crucifixion. The church is somehow recent, built in 1924 in Christian Roman style, and indoors there are three important mosaics named The Kiss of Judas, Christ in Agony being Consoled by an Angel, and The Arrest of Jesus. 

Next, visit the Western Wall, which welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year since Byzantine Era and is considered the most sacred place of the world by Jews. The reason for that is because the wall is everything that remained of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, destroyed in 70 A.C. by the Romans. 

Finally, finish your holy experience by walking the traditional pilgrim route at Via Dolosa, about 1km long, to reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is the path of the last steps of Jesus during his crucifixion. On the way, you will pass through several important stops; at the first Station of the Cross, where Jesus was condemned to death, is the Franciscan Monastery of Flagellation, followed by other nine stations until reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Imagine cruising down the Nile River, taking in the breathtaking views of ancient temples and historic landmarks. But it doesn't end there. One of the most iconic destinations you'll visit on your Nile Cruise Vacation is the Mount of Olives.