Dominus Flevit Church, Jerusalem
Dominus Flevit Church
Dominus Flevit Church
4.5
About
This tear-shaped church was built between 1953 and 1955 on the spot where, according to tradition, Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
755 within 3 miles
Bassem’s Gallery & Cafe
73
0.5 mi$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
The Quarter Cafe
243
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Israeli • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Abu Shukri
431
0.6 mi$ • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern • Israeli
Austrian Hospice
413
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • German • Austrian
Jaffar Sweets
121
0.7 mi$ • Dessert • Middle Eastern
Amigo Emil
522
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern
Azzahra Restaurant
252
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Al Mufti Espresso Cafe
43
0.6 mi$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Holy Cafe
134
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern • Israeli
Family Restaurant
100
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Barbecue • Middle Eastern • Israeli
Attractions
358 within 6 miles
Church of Saint Mary Magdalena
123
503 ftReligious Sites
Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
976
0.1 miReligious Sites
Church of the Pater Noster
223
0.2 miReligious Sites
The Jewish Cemetery
404
0.2 miCemeteries
Russian Church of the Ascension
30
0.1 miReligious Sites
Tomb of the Virgin Mary
452
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Monte das Oliveiras
4,337
0.2 miHistoric Sites
Grotto of Gethsemane
42
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Caverns & Caves
Old City of Jerusalem
13,985
0.6 miHistoric Sites • Neighborhoods
Church of the Ascension -Mosque of the Ascension
119
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
217 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
89
Average
25
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Hank H
Virginia447 contributions
Friends
There are a lot of beautiful churches in and around Jerusalem but this is NOT one of them. My recommendation that you visit here, however, has everything to do with the WAY this church was constructed - wonderfully clever. The window directly behind the altar looks out over the city of Jerusalem and, as such, is highly conducive to reflection and prayer. This is, after all, the spot reported to be where Jesus prayed and wept over Jerusalem.
Outside, there is a lovely, private garden with benches surrounded by shade trees, also looking over the Kidron Valley to the city - another place perfect for peaceful reflection and prayer. It also happens to be a great place to take panoramic photos of the city.
TIP: If you are a pilgrim, resist the temptation to race and see as many sites as you can. Bake time into your schedule to linger, reflect, and pray at some of the more special places. This is one of them.
Outside, there is a lovely, private garden with benches surrounded by shade trees, also looking over the Kidron Valley to the city - another place perfect for peaceful reflection and prayer. It also happens to be a great place to take panoramic photos of the city.
TIP: If you are a pilgrim, resist the temptation to race and see as many sites as you can. Bake time into your schedule to linger, reflect, and pray at some of the more special places. This is one of them.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BillPNo1
Friendswood, TX690 contributions
The Dominus Flevit - "The Lord Wept" is at the spot on the slopes of the Mount of Olives where Jesus Christ wept over the City of Jerusalem as he overlooked Jerusalem just across the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives. The site of Dominus Flevit still has a well landscaped and maintained viewpoint with a panoramic view of the whole city across the valley. A Chapel located on the site has a very picturesque window behind the altar with a metalwork cross conveniently positioned like a cross-hair right across the valley and centered on the Temple Dome. Almost a symbolic suggestion of Christianity conquering Islam.
Written May 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jake23
New Jersey6,395 contributions
Couples
This is another nice spot to stop in Jerusalem. We enjoyed it here and would come back if time permits.
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David G
Gedera, Israel1,324 contributions
My visit to the church was part of a day trip to Jerusalem concentrated on the Mount Scopus/Mount of Olives area .
The last time I visited this church was in 1984 , so while I was in the area , I thought I'd pop in and see if anything had changed , which thankfully it hadn't .
The church itself is small , similar in size to the one at Sirmione , Northern Italy that I visited last year .Many people will walk into the chapel , and not look up at the art that is above the arches ( see my picture) .
As you can see from the pictures of other visitors , there is a great view of the dome of the rock through the window in the apse of the church .
The courtyard is great for meditating on sunny days , as well as for taking the obligatory pictures of the old city .
As far as access to the church , there is hardly any parking space , so it is best to walk up the ( steep) path , past the Mary Magdalene Monastery which can be accessed from Derech Yericho - Jericho street at the bottom ( opposite the old city ).
The last time I visited this church was in 1984 , so while I was in the area , I thought I'd pop in and see if anything had changed , which thankfully it hadn't .
The church itself is small , similar in size to the one at Sirmione , Northern Italy that I visited last year .Many people will walk into the chapel , and not look up at the art that is above the arches ( see my picture) .
As you can see from the pictures of other visitors , there is a great view of the dome of the rock through the window in the apse of the church .
The courtyard is great for meditating on sunny days , as well as for taking the obligatory pictures of the old city .
As far as access to the church , there is hardly any parking space , so it is best to walk up the ( steep) path , past the Mary Magdalene Monastery which can be accessed from Derech Yericho - Jericho street at the bottom ( opposite the old city ).
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,239 contributions
Our pilgrimage walked from the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane and stopped here for a few minutes while our guide chatted. We were not able to enter. However, this is a peaceful site and a respite from the crowds above and below. For the amateur photographer, it was disappointing that we could not go inside. Regarding the exterior, it has nice lines. Contrast is an issue. My suggestion is to travel with minimal gear as the walk is steep and strenuous either up or down. One thing you will not see in Jerusalem much are plants. There are some here, and that is a good subject.
Written June 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ835 contributions
One of the interesting churches on the slopes of Mount of Olives. Worth a visit, although the main highlight here is a window that looks directly onto the Dome of the Rock - a perspective that you can see from other vantage points.
Written December 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Meg P
Louisville, KY22 contributions
Couples
Dominus Flevit, situated part of the way up the road to the Mt of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from the Old City, is a wonderful little chapel with amazing acoustics. Be ready to sing a favorite hymn, even if you're just a group of four, as the chapel transforms those four voices into a full choir! Just lovely.
Opening hours, as posted, are 8:00-11:45am and 2:30-5:00pm, so be aware of your schedule so you don't miss this opportunity.
Opening hours, as posted, are 8:00-11:45am and 2:30-5:00pm, so be aware of your schedule so you don't miss this opportunity.
Written July 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
YMuchoMas
Boston, MA106 contributions
Couples
Regardless of your beliefs, this place is well worth visiting if you're in Jerusalem. There's an amazing view of the Old City of Jerusalem, especially the Temple Mount/Haram Al Sharif, and the small chapel is quite lovely and simple.
If there's a pilgrim or tour group or two here, wait around until they leave. During the lull periods this is a peaceful place to contemplate this remarkable, contradictory city.
If you're Christian, this can be a very moving place to pray as the window over the altar inside the church frames the view that Jesus is likely to have looked over as he descended the Mount of Olives on his way into Jerusalem, and is the spot where tradition says he paused to weep over the city.
It's on a very steep hill. You must pay to use the toilet facilities.
If there's a pilgrim or tour group or two here, wait around until they leave. During the lull periods this is a peaceful place to contemplate this remarkable, contradictory city.
If you're Christian, this can be a very moving place to pray as the window over the altar inside the church frames the view that Jesus is likely to have looked over as he descended the Mount of Olives on his way into Jerusalem, and is the spot where tradition says he paused to weep over the city.
It's on a very steep hill. You must pay to use the toilet facilities.
Written June 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
therealnickpark
Drogheda372 contributions
Friends
The picture window of this church looks out on the scene Jesus would have seen when He wept over Jerusalem. Very moving.
Written June 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeffrey F
Ilkeston, UK1,407 contributions
Friends
Walking down with my tour group from the Mount of Olives, I nearly missed this place. They have services very regularly for groups making the pilgrimage, both inside & outside the building & when we arrived two services were going on simultaneously. A few minutes wait enabled the church to empty & just a few people to get in.
The building itself - commemorating the time Jesus wept over Jerusalem on his entry – is fairly ordinary. What is wonderful is the view from the altar window. It had apparently been arranged to directly face the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – the ultimate end of the pilgrimage route. In practise it virtually faces Temple Mount & the gold Dome of the Rock. I persisted & got some photos which are very different from the norm.
I also ran into a German choir who were ‘singing’ their way down the pilgrimage route. I gather choir singing like this is a regular occurrence – but this choir were truly wonderful. They had me in tears with a Taize song, sung in Latin & then in German. A wonderful moment on the journey.
It well worth hanging on a few moments, if you are on the Mount of Olives/Via Dolorosa route, to see the view from this chapel. You might just get to hear a lovely choir at the same time!
The building itself - commemorating the time Jesus wept over Jerusalem on his entry – is fairly ordinary. What is wonderful is the view from the altar window. It had apparently been arranged to directly face the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – the ultimate end of the pilgrimage route. In practise it virtually faces Temple Mount & the gold Dome of the Rock. I persisted & got some photos which are very different from the norm.
I also ran into a German choir who were ‘singing’ their way down the pilgrimage route. I gather choir singing like this is a regular occurrence – but this choir were truly wonderful. They had me in tears with a Taize song, sung in Latin & then in German. A wonderful moment on the journey.
It well worth hanging on a few moments, if you are on the Mount of Olives/Via Dolorosa route, to see the view from this chapel. You might just get to hear a lovely choir at the same time!
Written May 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Frequently Asked Questions about Dominus Flevit Church
- We recommend booking Dominus Flevit Church tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 11 Dominus Flevit Church tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Dominus Flevit Church:
- (0.18 mi) Seven Arches Hotel
- (0.22 mi) Mount of Olives Hotel
- (0.49 mi) Ecce Homo Convent
- (1.09 mi) The American Colony Hotel
- (0.76 mi) Christ Church Guest House
- Restaurants near Dominus Flevit Church:
- (0.54 mi) Bassem’s Gallery & Cafe
- (0.56 mi) The Quarter Cafe
- (0.56 mi) Abu Shukri
- (0.60 mi) Austrian Hospice
- (0.66 mi) Jaffar Sweets