Church of Saint Anne
Church of Saint Anne
4.5
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 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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4.5
810 reviews
Excellent
553
Very good
226
Average
25
Poor
4
Terrible
2
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 14 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.
loist51
Richmond, VA788 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 26 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.
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 22 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.
Carol D
Overland Park, KS1,469 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 13 June 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, CA3,754 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 23 November 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, Portugal795 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 30 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.
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 31 January 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.
Aqusite
California1,554 contributions
Jun 2023
The Church itself isn't what I am reviewing. It was crowded and filled with people trying to climb over each other to reach something in the basement. Instead, I am reviewing the grounds that lead to Bethesda behind it, which are beautifully landscaped and extremely peaceful. I sat here for some time after a lot of walking and it was serene and shaded with ancient excavations. Very enjoyable.
Written 1 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.
Emily M
United States1,304 contributions
Oct 2022
Recommending visiting here if open. Our group was barely able to make it inside - check opening hours. Church wasn't as decorated as others, but still beautiful in its simplicity. Gardens on the ground also beautiful.
Written 31 December 2022
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
The quality of the visit here depends on timing - check before to make sure the church will be open when you come. It was closed when we arrived, so we only saw the exterior and visited the ruins. That said, they are interesting and a challenge for the picture taker. Due to the flatness and lack of contrast, if you are an amateur photographer visit early or late. Good spot for a zoom lens since you view from above and cannot enter the ruins. Expect post-processing to bring out contrast.
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.
Hi, how much time do you suggest to plan for a visit of the church?
Written 25 August 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 25 August 2020
What is the entrance fee, and does it include the pool of Bethesda? Do you need reservations for a group?
Written 31 July 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 2 August 2019
Y a t'il des messes le dimanche et à quelles heures?
Written 18 May 2017
Oui, il y a des messes le dimanche, mais je regrette que je ne sais pas les heures.
Written 10 June 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 14 January 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 15 May 2017
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