Why you should visit Church of the Holy Sepulchre

A visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is highly recommended for those interested in religious history and Christian pilgrimage. However, be prepared for crowds and consider hiring a guide or doing research beforehand to fully appreciate its significance.

  1. To experience one of the holiest sites in Christianity, witness its historical and architectural significance, and reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Non-Christians can appreciate the history and unique atmosphere as well.

Things you should know before visiting

Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and be aware of long queues, especially for the Tomb of Jesus. Visiting early in the morning is recommended to avoid the worst of the crowds. The church is shared by several Christian denominations, resulting in a mix of traditions.

Pros & Cons

  • Historically and religiously significant
  • Spiritually moving and peaceful atmosphere
  • Opportunity to connect with Christian history and faith
  • Architecturally impressive and awe-inspiring
  • Often very crowded, especially during peak season
  • Can feel overwhelming and confusing without a guide
  • Some find the atmosphere less conducive to personal reflection due to crowds and distractions

Highlighted Reviews

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A must-see of Jerusalem, a place full of history and spirituality.

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The atmosphere inside is very peaceful and powerful — you can genuinely feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

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Worth a visit, but leaves you with much to reflect on.

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Even being a non Christian, you can feel an aura here, one of calmness of history, of many untold stories.

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History can be touched and seen here in every place inside the church and the many chapels inside.

Visitor Reviews

Frequently mentioned in reviews:

Jerusalem (6) history (6) church (6)

Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors.

5/5
Ami Giz Guided T.
1 year ago on Google • 94 reviews

As an Jerusalem Tour Guide this is a must stop for Christians. You may need at least one good hour to understand the whole site. You may one hour or more in line to get into the Jesus Tomb.

4/5
Jared B.
2 years ago on Google • 669 reviews

Old Jerusalem is a fascinating location that had historical relations with many of the world's religions. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of those locations within the walls, and was very interesting. I would strongly suggest that guests either book a tour or research this (and other locations) to have a better understanding of the historical traditions of each location.

4/5
Atine D.
6 years ago on Google • 603 reviews

This is the most holy site in Jerusalem. This is the place where our Lord Jesus Christ was laid in a tomb after he was brought down from the cross. The place is usually very crowded. Better be there early in the morning to avoid the rush. The historical structure looks awesome. You can feel the peace and holiness as you enter in. A must visit place.

5/5
Yee
5 years ago on Google • 491 reviews

The most holy pilgrimage site of christianity. A truly awe inspiring place. I spent many hours here in prayer and meditation. You can stay here over night if you arrange it weeks in advance. they only allow a few people per night. It is so peaceful and inspiring. It is a privilege to visit this place. Full of such history and traditions. Never miss out on entering this church.

4/5
Eric M.
2 years ago on Google • 399 reviews

Really mixed feelings about this place. You really need a guide to understand this place. We had one which made it tolerable. Otherwise we would not have understood what we were looking at. The hole where the crucifix was placed into the rock... It's under a table. We crawled under and saw and felt the hole, all thanks to our guide. Otherwise we would have totally missed this. The church is full of niches, parts, i don't know what you call them. It's sort of a mess. Have a guide to explain. We're glad we visited. We don't plan on returning.

5/5
Deborah R.
1 year ago on Google • 236 reviews

For the historical and religious history, get this on your bucket list. Read up on the City of David first and you won't need a tour guide. Stay close to it and enjoy a leisure walk. There are 44k people who live nd work inside the city. It's a city within a city. See where Christ walked along the Roman stones, see the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son and the place where Christ died, his prison, where is He isn aid to rest. The Western Wall, the split between the Muslims and Jews. A place to add to your bucket list for sure! You may make a donation because it's free to enter. Tips: Ladies: no exposed skin and wear a head cover.

4/5
Filea J.
3 months ago on Google • 220 reviews
New

Crowdy and noisy even in low saison. But each traveller to Jerusalem has to visit this Holly place

5/5
Станислав �.
3 months ago on Google • 195 reviews
New

Храм Гроба Господня — одно из самых священных мест христианства, расположенное в Старом городе Иерусалима. Он считается местом распятия, погребения и воскресения Иисуса Христа. Ключевые факты: • На иврите: קבר ישו (Кеве́р Йешу) • На греческом: Ἐκκλησία τοῦ Παναγίου Τάφου • Построен на месте, где, по преданию, были Голгофа (место распятия) и гроб, в который положили тело Иисуса. • Первоначально был построен в IV веке по указу императора Константина Великого. • В храме находится Кувуклия — часовня, возведённая над предполагаемым гробом Иисуса. • Это центр паломничества миллионов христиан разных конфессий: православных, католиков, армян, коптов, сирийцев и эфиопов. Особенности: • Храм делят между собой несколько христианских конфессий, и внутри можно почувствовать смешение архитектурных и литургических традиций. • Рядом находится Камень Миропомазания — по преданию, на нём тело Иисуса готовили к погребению. • Атмосфера храма наполнена благоговением, особенно в дни Пасхи, когда происходит схождение Благодатного огня. Это место огромной духовной силы и истории, куда стремятся попасть верующие со всего мира. Если будешь в Иерусалиме — это одно из самых важных мест для посещения.

5/5
Ahmed Y.
2 months ago on Google • 192 reviews
New

No words can do justice here, the presence in the place is palpable.

5/5
joseph s.
4 years ago on Google • 190 reviews

The most holy place for christianity. History can be touched and seen here in every place inside the church and the many chapels inside. It can take a long time to reach the tomb of jesus if there are lot of people. Take your camera with you to this church since it's an amazing enviernment

5/5
amila m.
3 months ago on Google • 7 reviews
New

🇮🇱🇮🇱🙏🙏

4/5
Saswat S P.
5 years ago on Google • 90 reviews

A good place. Even being a non Christian, you can feel an aura here, one of calmness of history, of many untold stories. The origin and the Nexus of this place can bring goosebumps in you. A church notwithstanding, the passage of time, the prayers and the feel of an era of magnificence can all be felt here..

5/5
Mari T.
2 months ago on Google • 70 reviews
New

Most holy place on Earth,grateful to be there everytime I have the chance to visit

5/5
Glenn D.
3 months ago on Google • 69 reviews
New

Historic sight beautiful old church so much history quite magical make sure you dress modesty out of respect or you won't be allowed to go inside try to go in the morning when it's not as busy there is a lot to see, you might want to go back a second day.

1/5
Sara A.
2 months ago on Google • 47 reviews
New

Israelis wont let anyone enter peacefully.

2/5
Gael R.
1 year ago on Google • 41 reviews

I’m a Christian and a priest-in-training, and this just wasn’t for me in terms of finding a connection with Jesus or feeling close to God. I can appreciate the craftsmanship of the building, and the significance of the site, but for so many reasons I felt sad and anguished in this place. Worth a visit, but leaves you with much to reflect on. There were many other places on pilgrimage that left me breathless. The Holy Sepulchre was unfortunately not one of them.

5/5
Rudiak
3 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
New

Visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was a truly special experience. It wasn’t crowded when I arrived, and there was only a small line to see the actual tomb of Jesus. The atmosphere inside is very peaceful and powerful — you can genuinely feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s a place full of history, faith, and deep meaning. Definitely a must-visit when in Jerusalem.

5/5
Irina S.
2 months ago on Google • 29 reviews
New

Intrarea este libera! Se asteapta la rand la Sf Mormant dar totul este foarte crumos si cu o mare incarcatura spirituala.

5/5
Ilan. L.
3 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
New

חזית הקיר החיצוני למתחם הקבר הקדוש. (צלבני) מבנה מרהיב עם טקסים וחויות מענינות של זרמים נוצריים מגוונים. שוה ביקור גם בחגים הנוצריים ובימי חול.

5/5
Lorenzo Bottini B.
2 years ago on Google • 18 reviews

A must-see of Jerusalem, a place full of history and spirituality. Take a moment to explore and admire its many chambers, as well as to recollect in tranquillity.

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