In the middle of the busy modern city of Jerusalem lies the Garden Tomb, a peaceful oasis hidden among busy streets and markets. The Garden Tomb is a possible site for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus that has grown into a garden for visitors to come and experience. It is free to enter and there are free tours and audio guides available.
We tagged along on a tour where our guide, Kieran, told us the history behind the site and why it is considered to be a likely spot for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Kieran does a great job at not convincing people to believe the Garden Tomb over the other possible site, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but allowing visitors to make up their own minds after he presents the information.
From here you can see the hillside presumed to be Golgotha, the place of the skull, and enter into the cave-like tomb that was found nearby, presumed to be the resting place of Jesus (for three days anyway), which was owned by Joseph of Arimathea. I won’t spoil all the details but the Garden Tomb is a must-see on any visit to Jerusalem, and was a highlight of our time there.
An ancient wine press discovered on the site and a flowing fresh spring
Getting there: The Garden Tomb lies just north of the Old City, not far from the Damascus Gate, off Derech Shchem street. For more information, check out the Garden Tomb website.
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I paid for tickets to Jerusalem and for the hotel and a car rental I’m from Milwaukee is it possible to visit the garden tomb on your own for free dia de LaRosa The wailing Wall in the garden of geseneme
Hey Frank! You can visit all those sites for free and by yourself. The Garden Tomb offers a free guided tour and I’m pretty sure you could find a guided tour for the Via Dolorosa if you’d like. There is a tourist info centre just inside the Jaffa Gate. The old city is fairly compact so you could even walk to all those places, which could be even easier tham driving. Have a great trip!
Can I visit the garden tomb and other sites in Jerusalem on my own without a tour guide for free