Christ's Tomb
Christ's Tomb
4.5
About
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also called the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, or the Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Christians, is a church within the Christian Quarter of the walled Old City of Jerusalem. It is a few steps away from the Muristan. The site is venerated as Golgotha (the Hill of Calvary), where Jesus was crucified, and is said also to contain the place where Jesus was buried (the Sepulchre). A trend among visitors to the spot (standing outside the Church) is to applaud loudly during the ringing of bells. This is to recognize the unique beauty of the Church and its unique history.
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Neighbourhood: Givat Ram
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,012 reviews
Excellent
666
Very good
214
Average
78
Poor
30
Terrible
24

worldnomad_01
Los Angeles, CA1,597 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
We stopped by the church three times, but continued our visit of the old city as the crowds were huge and the yard in front of the church was full of tourists waiting for the chance to visit it. It was in mid afternoon that we stopped again, this time the crowed seemed manageable and we got in. The place was still full of tourists, talking loud, waiting to kiss the stone Christ's body was supposed to have been laid on, or to squeeze into the small area believed to be His tomb. Under less crowded circumstances the church would be a much more interesting place to visit but, its architectural/aesthetic features are far exceeded by its religious importance to all Christians. It's one of those places that you would not like to miss when visiting Jerusalem for the first time. On our way out, somewhere in a small chapel, with no tourists in attendance (!), a group of Ethiopian monks were chanting and singing, and the tone of their songs, the dark tall walls around and the awareness that you are in what is perhaps the most important Christian church, a kind of take you somewhere, out of this world ...
Written 12 July 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.

Christina H
Pasig, Philippines80 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Sacred place inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was way too guarded & restricted, We lined up for more than an hour but when we got in, we were herded out within seconds by the priests in black. They were shouting at every one that almost took the sacredness of the experience away. The Table of the Annointing at the entrance was a lot better as everyone felt free to approach, touch & spend time praying.
Written 10 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.

Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK2,042 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is shared by a number of religions. It can be an overwhelming and confusing visit due to the number of tourists of many nationalities. You will need to queue and the times of opening vary but reaching the church early (before 6am) may allow you in for contemplation but not inside the tomb. Just inside the entrance is a rectangular rock where the body of Jesus was laid for a time before being put in the tomb. The rock is completely smooth due to so many pilgrims touching it over the years. You may wait if you want to pray here. The tomb itself has been encased by an elaborate chapel over the ages. It looks therefore like a freestanding small church within a church. There will almost certainly be a queue with some pushing. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the entrance and it is useful to have your own guide here to ensure you move as fast as possible. On entering there is a small anteroom and then the actual tomb itself through a low entrance. It is mystical and will only hold about 2 people. You cannot stay long but you will be able to kneel down for a short time if you want. There was no-one controlling the flow of people there and the exit is the same way as you came in.
Written 18 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.

Vitor A
Lisbon, Portugal795 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Most Christians stay hours in line to touch the place where it is believed that Christ was buried. They want so much to do it, that they don’t pay enough attention to one of the most impressing engineering works in Jerusalem – the church’s dome. Enjoy!
Written 31 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.

andrew w
Bradford, UK8 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
We went to Church yesterday but the queue for the tomb was too long for me (difficulty standing for a lengthy time). So got up at 6.00am and arrived by 6.45. The doors were opened at 7.00am but we were refused entry because we were not part of a tour group. A most uncharitable act by a monk at the most holy site in the world! Only open to non groups from 9.00am when obviously the queues will be huge! The experience left a bitter taste.
Written 21 September 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.

Tom L
Klein, TX196 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
Practicing Christians MUST visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its various spiritual landmarks where Jesus died for our sins (Last Supper, Calvary, Tomb, cistern of his Cross.)

Yes, there are crowds, particularly when large tours arrive. Put yourself in the right mindset of 2,000 years ago and imagine the agony of the Via de la Rosa than led to this life saving location. Be prayerful as your moment will come to kneel, kiss the stone, and pray. Lay your cross on the stone for added spirituality.

The Holy Land sites are busy with others just like you wanting an experience of the lifetime. Be grateful that you can absorb the significance where you are. Jesus was a bit crowded and inconvenienced from the time he was arrested at Gethsemane on Holy Thursday until his crucifixion on Good Friday. Rejoice .
Written 10 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.

Jay B
Fairhope, AL1,073 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I have to say I agree with many of my fellow reviewers. This place should be solemn and holy, but is not. The crowds and pushing are bad enough, but the "gold and glitter" seem completely out of place. I hate to say it, but I am not sure these places are actually what "they" claim them to be, i.e., the holy places of Christ's death and resurrection. I'm glad I went, but man was I disappointed overall!
Written 25 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.

Russ R
Port Saint Lucie, FL206 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
What can you really say about the Tomb of Christ? As a secular person I have a great deal of respect for the history of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I always visit when in the Old City. It really is a beautiful place of worship, especially the Edicule that houses the tomb of Jesus Christ. Much to our surprise on this trip was the short line to go inside the Edicule to the view the tomb. Our party of four waited about 30 minutes and entered when it was their turn. They respectfully spent a few moments inside and left knowing that they experienced something very special. Religious or not, Christian or not, this is a special place where you can literally feel the power of their faith.
Written 3 June 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.

rafaelrabello
Campinas, SP182 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Amazing feeling being there.

We were there on a Sunday: mass started 6am and ended 7am.
The tomb opened right after the mass at 7am. People following the mass were the first to enter.

Absolutely no lines at this time. Me and my wife could enter there twice with a 2min. maximum line.

So the recommendation is to arrive early in the morning. Tomb opening time on Sunday: 7am. Mess start on Sunday: 6am.
Written 28 June 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.

Teoso
Brooklyn, NY281 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Both the church and the tomb gets very crowded in mid-day, making it impossible to appreciate its history. Best to arrive early in the morning, as early as 5am on some days. The church is controlled by different Christian sects, and each part is decorated very differently. As a result, you can really spend 2-3 hours here, even though the square footage of the church itself is quite small.
Written 1 December 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.

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Christ's Tomb, Jerusalem

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