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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4.5
1,007 reviews
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56
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5
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1
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,697 contributions
Jan 2020
The Church of All Nations was completed in 1924 with funding from numerous countries (hence the name). The church is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives near the Garden of Gethsemane. After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went here, and Jesus withdrew to pray, having full knowledge of His crucifixion. The Gospels tell us that Jesus threw Himself on the ground and prayed in such anguished agony that His sweat became like drops of blood. The architect Antonio Barluzzi effectively used design elements to transport us back in time to that moment. The church is in semi-darkness, with a dome representing a subdued star-studded night sky surrounded by olive branches. The mural over the high altar shows Jesus praying in agony. At the foot of the altar is a large slab of rock where He prayed, known as the Rock of Agony. Side chapels have murals depicting the betraying kiss of Judas and the arrest of Jesus. Despite the crowds, the church retained an atmosphere of sorrowful reverence.
Written 1 March 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.
Flore
Arad, Romania1,709 contributions
Feb 2020
If you do not have enough time and just visit the Old City of Jerusalem, at least look, from a distance, this beautiful church located on the Mount of Olives. If you visit the Mount of Olives, then you will definitely visit this church. The architecture of the Ghetsimani Garden church is very interesting, combining typical lines of the Christian basilica (facade), with aspects encountered in Islamic buildings (especially the side walls and the roof, which has numerous domes). Inside, there are some traces of mosaic that belonged to the old Byzantine basilica, built by the emperor Theodosius the Great. The windows, made of alabaster, are translucent, which makes the light inside diffuse. In my opinion this is a must-see.
Written 8 March 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.
llinia
Belgium483 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited the church and it’s beautiful outside as well as inside. The priest was doing a ceremony, while a lot of people we’re praying. It was a bit crowded because it’s a popular tourist attraction and every tour bus stops here. It’s free of charge.
Written 16 February 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.
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 30 May 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 30 January 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 2 February 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 19 January 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 26 April 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 5 April 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 17 July 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 18 January 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 18 January 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 19 November 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 19 November 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 6 October 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 7 October 2018
Is Mt. of Olives opens for public everyday? Especially the Church of all Nation and the Garden of Getsemani?
Written 24 September 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 24 September 2018
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