Church of Saint Anne
Church of Saint Anne
4.5
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Built in honour of St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, this 12th-century Basilica in Jerusalem is one of the finest examples of Crusader architecture in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East.
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.
Popular mentions
4.5
810 reviews
Excellent
553
Very good
226
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Hank H
Virginia665 contributions
Jan 2020
Although this church is not terribly attractive, it sports amazing acoustics. Sit in a pew for 20 min and absorb the songs of various pilgrim groups as they take their turns singing hymns to Mary. Even poor singers sound good here! Very moving.
TIPS: This church sits on top of the site reputed to be the birthplace of the Virgin Mary - be sure to visit the basement to see it. Also, be sure to visit the ruins adjacent to the church, reputed to be the site of the pool of Bethesda, where Jesus cured a lame man who couldn't move fast enough to enter the healing water.
TIPS: This church sits on top of the site reputed to be the birthplace of the Virgin Mary - be sure to visit the basement to see it. Also, be sure to visit the ruins adjacent to the church, reputed to be the site of the pool of Bethesda, where Jesus cured a lame man who couldn't move fast enough to enter the healing water.
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.
Barbara R
Erie, PA940 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
St. Anne's Chapel is located in the Muslim quarter of Old Jerusalem, near The Lion's Gate. It is French Roman Catholic and French National Domain. It was built in the 12th century and is a Crusader church erected over the traditional site of Anne,(Hannah) the mother of Mary it is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture.
While the 40 of us were there, our group leader arranged us in front of the alter and we sang a hymn. The acustics made us sound awesome!!!
While the 40 of us were there, our group leader arranged us in front of the alter and we sang a hymn. The acustics made us sound awesome!!!
Written January 25, 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.
prinzs1
Phoenixville, PA82 contributions
Nov 2019
this church has some of the best acoustics anywhere and when the people sign inside it is astounding .. at Easter and Good Friday services when they sing Low in the Grave - it's heavenly - the gardens are well kept and benches provide nice places to sit and read and reflect on your holy walk in the city of Jerusalem .. it's one of the best places for scripture to come alive
Written February 11, 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.
John B
Phoenix, AZ108 contributions
Mar 2020
There's no need to visit unless you need to get out of the rain for a while. Helena, Constantine's mother, built this church based on information she was told by locals in the 4th century. The tomb is unlikely the tomb of Jesus. It was outside the city at the time, but it isn't Golgotha/Calvary. Plus, the priest inside was rude. Skip this one unless it's raining, or maybe too hot outside, and you need a break.
Written March 14, 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.
loist51
Richmond, VA789 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a beautiful church made of rock that is what I perceived to be acoustically amazing. We sang Blessed Assurance as a church group, and the acoustics resounded strongly. This church basilica was built in honor of St. Anne, mother of Virginia Mary in 12th Century. We were there during Christmas time (January) in Jerusalem. Their Christmas is later than U.S. Christmas. It was cold inside, perhaps because of all the stone.
Written March 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.
Cynthia V
Coronado, CA20 contributions
Mar 2020
Both the garden surrounding St. Anne's and the church itself are beautiful. The church may have the best acoustics in Jerusalem. Outside is the Pool of Bethesda, be sure to see it. If you can go around to the back of the church there are beautiful buildings built during the last 4 years or so with mosaic floors that are spectacular.
Written March 22, 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.
Carol D
Overland Park, KS1,460 contributions
Feb 2020
This was one of my favorite places we visited, mostly because we had an opportunity to hear songs from different groups that where there on their pilgrimage as we were here on ours. It was interesting to note that this is French owned. It is considered part of France and the French Flag does fly above. The church is over what is believed to be home of Anne the mother of Mary. It is also has amazing acoustics, which is why we and other groups sang here. So we had a mini concert of singing before we went up to sing. The group before us had one woman singer who I had to believe was a professional singer, her voice was amazing. We went up as a group to sing and I thought we sounded pretty good considering we had no practice. Also hearing different languages singing either familiar hymns was a treat to hear.
Written June 13, 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
Located in the Muslim Quarter of Old Jerusalem, near the confluence of the Lion's Gate, the start of the Via Dolorosa and across from the rear exit of Temple Mount, sits the lovely Romanesque Church of St. Anne. This beautiful French, Roman Catholic Church built by The Crusaders in 1138, replaced an earlier Byzantine church above the Pools of Bethesda. Built in tribute to St. Anne, mother to the Virgin Mary, a simple shrine commemorating the birth of Mary at this location lays in the cave/crypt below the church, which is said to be the original home to Mary and her parents, Anne & Joachim. With soaring, vaulted ceilings the Church is light and airy, and possesses exceptional acoustics. We had the pleasure of entering while a Christian group was singing "How Great Thou Art", which absolutely moved me to tears. Gardens surrounding the church are tree-shaded, lovely and serene. The healing waters of the Pools of Bethesda and where Jesus Christ healed the paralytic man, are adjacent to the Church of Saint Anne, where the original Byzantine Church was located earlier. This is the oldest remaining Crusader Church in Jerusalem, with an interesting history surrounding it. This felt like a highly sacred area, where we witnessed many groups singing, praying and conducting Bible worship. My adult son and I were deeply, spiritually moved throughout the Church and its grounds.
Written November 23, 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.
Vitor A
Lisbon, Portugal792 contributions
Jan 2020
The small church was built on the place where it is believed that Sainte Anna raised her daughter Mary. To see the cave you must go downstairs (upstairs coming back); the problem is that the stairs are very narrow and quite uneven. Enjoy!
Written March 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.
Francesca N
Bogota, Colombia59 contributions
Oct 2022
I visited the church of St. Anne not knowing what to expect. Its Romanesque architecture is interesting, as is the ruins outside the back of the church. But its wonderful acoustics is what really made the visit there worthwhile. Because of the clarity of sound, choirs from all over the world come to sing. They each have the opportunity to sing one song, psalm, chant or whatever. Listening to them was a wonderful, relaxing and ethereal experience which is well worth the visit.
Written January 31, 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.
Hi, how much time do you suggest to plan for a visit of the church?
Written August 25, 2020
Between 15 and 45 minutes depending if you are in a hurry or not. The site also contains the pools of Bethesda where tradition has it that Jesus healed the paralytic in Jn 5.
Written August 25, 2020
What is the entrance fee, and does it include the pool of Bethesda? Do you need reservations for a group?
Written July 31, 2019
We did not pay anything, but made a donation. The ask was very small (I have forgotten, but think it was a buck or two), so we each gave a little more to help the Church. I seriously doubt even someone on a tight budget would notice nor mind contributing to the Cause.
Written August 2, 2019
Y a t'il des messes le dimanche et à quelles heures?
Written May 18, 2017
Oui, il y a des messes le dimanche, mais je regrette que je ne sais pas les heures.
Written June 10, 2017
Could you please tell me if you can see the pool of Bethesda without going through the church of St Anne's? Are there hours of admission for the pools and is there a fee? Thank you!
Written January 14, 2017
There certainly is an admission fee ... approx Eur 2.50.
Opening hours Summer 08:00 to 12:00 hrs and afternoon 14:00 - 18:00 hrs In Winter it closes at 17:00 hrs
Written May 15, 2017
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