Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
4.5
About
Located on the Mount of Olives, this beautiful church was first built by the Byzantines in 379 and rebuilt between 1919 and 1924, whose construction was financed from contributions made by many countries.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,007 reviews
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664
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281
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56
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5
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FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,268 contributions
Feb 2020
This church is included on almost every pilgrimage and, therefore, presents a challenge for the amateur photographer. There are always crowds, and the inside is quite dark. You will need to cross the busy street for an overview, and you can see the very colorful art above the columns. The darkness inside requires high ISOs and adjustments to the white balance. Or, post-process the best images. Due to the crowds, travel light - a DSLR with zoom lens leaning to the wide-angle capability works well.
Written May 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,750 contributions
Dec 2019
This is a beautiful basilica situated adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Completed in 1924 and also known as Basilica of the Agony, this is the third church to be erected on this site. Twelve nations contributed to building costs, which is how the basilica derived its name. A large slab of bedrock fronting the alter is surrounded by a wrought-iron wreath presented by Australia. This is fashioned as a crown of thorns, impaling two silver doves and pairs of thorn birds perched behind Communion chalices. This is believed to be the traditional location where Jesus prayed, as written in the Bible: "Luke 22:44: ...his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground". Note the numerous gold mosaic tiles used throughout the basilica both inside and out.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hank H
Virginia664 contributions
Jan 2020
The inside of this wonderful church is dark - necessarily so - and perfect for meditation and prayerful reflection. But once your eyes get used to the low light, you're in for a treat. Look up, down, and all around - beautiful ceiling and wall painting add to the experience here. The adjacent garden with ancient olive trees make it easy for you to imagine the scriptures we hear so often.
TIP: Like most pilgrims, I visited many places in and around Jerusalem yet I yearned to linger and pray more at this site than any other. If you want to pick one place to linger, or return and pray, this is it.
TIP: Like most pilgrims, I visited many places in and around Jerusalem yet I yearned to linger and pray more at this site than any other. If you want to pick one place to linger, or return and pray, this is it.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kelledstyle
Montreal, Canada760 contributions
Oct 2019
Located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Church of All Nations is a beautiful basilica surrounded by the pretty garden of Gethsemane. The church neoclassical architecture is enhanced by colourful mosaics on the main facade. Inside, there are numerous painting walls. If you plan to go to the Mount of Olives, do not miss visiting this church. For more pictures, check my Instagram page (IG: kelledstyle).
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ECLadines
Paranaque, Philippines2,732 contributions
Apr 2020
An outstanding church in the heart of Jerusalem where the Passion of Jesus took place. The present church here (the 3rd built) was only completed in the 1920s so this was somewhat a modern vibe of a building. So many people packing this church taking their mandatory photo op. So you could just imagine the queues when you finally visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Written April 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kteversole
206 contributions
Nov 2019
The church is beautiful, but not all that beautiful. This sill probably be a very short stop for a tour group. You are there to touch the rock. The crowd will likely be dense toward the front of the church. You will regret not moving forward through that crowd to touch the rock Jesus is said to have prayed upon and fallen asleep at. You'll be there in only about 5 minutes. Don't let the size of the crowd dissuade you, it only looks big. From the rock you can loop back into the church to admire it. You can also wander out to the garden with amazingly old olive trees. The olive trees are not 1500 years old. That doesn't mean they are insignificant. They may have been cultivated from ancient seed or stock. They ask you, the tourist, to pause to consider them, living yet old beyond anything else we're probably aware of. Breath on them so that some of you remains, nourishing the tree, after you board your bus to the next stop, ...and after you've gone home.
Written April 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
Gedera, Israel1,663 contributions
Jul 2023
One of the most famous churches based around Jerusalem, found on postcards , and yet it took me more than 30 years of living in Israel to visit this amazing place !!.
Don't just look at the amazing paintings on the walls , look up at the ceilings , there's art there as well !!.
Best NOT to use flash when taking pictures ( there IS a way to take acceptable quality images in this amazing place even with smartphones ( auto ISO worked for me ) .Sometimes there are services being held , so respect the sanctity of this place ( hats OFF when inside the church ).
Best to visit during the Spring and Autumn/Fall months , .RECOMMENDED
Don't just look at the amazing paintings on the walls , look up at the ceilings , there's art there as well !!.
Best NOT to use flash when taking pictures ( there IS a way to take acceptable quality images in this amazing place even with smartphones ( auto ISO worked for me ) .Sometimes there are services being held , so respect the sanctity of this place ( hats OFF when inside the church ).
Best to visit during the Spring and Autumn/Fall months , .RECOMMENDED
Written July 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manfredd
Muar, Malaysia1,055 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The Church of All Nations was built next to the Rock of Agony. It is used by all denominations. They are the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical and Anglican. It was built with donations from various nations.
The Church of All Nations has a Byzantine dome, and Corinthian columns with frontage of mosaic inlaid. Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this master piece in 1920.
The Church of All Nations has a Byzantine dome, and Corinthian columns with frontage of mosaic inlaid. Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this master piece in 1920.
Written March 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,657 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Church of All Nations is a beautiful church commemorating the Agony of Jesus the night before he was arrested. The Church dates back to the Crusader era, and some structures predate that. Although the Basilica is a Catholic Church, an outside altar allows for worship by all denominations. The Basilica of the Agony is situated on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam B
1,096 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The artistry of the creators of this building welcomes us outside - a light portico supporting a tympanum with a mosaic depicting Jesus, who sanctifies all human suffering. The interior is small and simply beautiful. The walls amaze with paintings, but the real craftsmanship of the builders can be found in the gold-blue ceiling, "bending" before the rock of agony located in the center of the building. The atmosphere of the tour is greatly enhanced by the very beautiful singing of the Franciscans.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the significance of the Rock of Agony outside the Church of all Nations in Jerusalem? Why is it considered a special rock as the Rock of Agony inside the church is believed to be where Jesus prayed. Thank you for clarifying.
Written January 18, 2020
Let me be honest- I do not know. We have absorbed enormous amount of information during our pilgrim trip to the Holly Land, unfortunately not every place covered...
Written January 18, 2020
Mini van with driver in Izrael...
Does anyone know an onest mini van driver/ owner, WHO can take me with a couple of people around Israel in April/ May 2019?
Written November 19, 2018
Mini van with driver in Izrael...
Does anyone know an onest mini van driver/ owner, WHO can take me with a couple of people around Israel in April/ May 2019?
Written November 19, 2018
We are not part of a tour group and we plan to attend the holy hour at the Basilica of the Agony which finishes around 9pm or later. Can we easily get a taxi there at night or a nearby taxi stand ? Are there nearby restaurants at the end of the Via Dolorosa and the Getsemane area ? I cannot find a restaurant in the googlemaps nearby and we plan just to hang around that area after the tour. Thanks
Written October 6, 2018
For the Church of All Nations it is best to pre-book a taxi (via your hotel?) to pick you up after the Holy Hour.
There are no restaurants near Gethsemane or the church.
The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - again few, if any restaurants in close vicinity. Again your hotel can advise closer to the time of your visit.
Written October 7, 2018
Is Mt. of Olives opens for public everyday? Especially the Church of all Nation and the Garden of Getsemani?
Written September 24, 2018
Yes, as far as i know it is open every day. There are restrictions in the walled Garden of Gethsemane which require booking ahead. The Church of All Nations entrance is immediately opposite across a narrow street. There may be an entrance fee to the Church which is accessed via the other part of the Garden. Each time I have been it has been with a pre-organised tour so we didn't buy entrance tickets on site. For further information contact the Order of Franciscans or the Latin patriarchate in Jerusalem (see online).
Written September 24, 2018
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