The Garden Tomb
The Garden Tomb of Jerusalem is located in the Old City outside Jerusalem walls and near the Damascus Gate. The garden tomb was discovered in 1867 by Charles Gordon and since then believed by the protestants to be the site of burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is located near a rock also called Skull Hill and believed to be the Golgotha.
It is a beautiful and peaceful place where to seat relax and worship.
It matches most of the accounts of the Gospels as to several things that were there the night Jesus died on the cross.
The Garden tomb tour:
We at Tzur Tours include a visit to the garden tomb in the itinerary for our protestant clients and by request. as part of our Jerusalem private tour
Gordon’s Calvary
When visiting Jerusalem in 1883, General Charles Gordon identified the rock and calculated that this is the Place of the Skull that is also known as Golgotha. That is why it is called today Gordon’s Calvary.
The Garden Tomb Association suggested that this is the place of Jesus’ burial site, the tomb fits the description in John 19:41 “At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” Gordon has recognized a cliff with a shape of a skull and below, some ancient tombs. He believed the tombs are from the times of the second temple. The meaning of Golgotha in Hebrew means a skull, therefore Charles Gordon saw a very good match to the inscriptions plus, one of the important points is its location. The books mention that the burial was outside the city walls, the garden is as opposed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which inside the city walls
in later excavations conducted by prof Gabi Barkai from the Hebrew University, the tomb has been dated to the 7th-8th century BC which contradicts the written in the new testament about a tomb that ” no one had ever been laid”
Every visitor should read a brief history of the Garden Tomb before actually visiting the place and understand why many have declared this site to be the actual site of the Tomb.
Nowadays most of the Christian world believes that the genuine site located at the church of the holy sepulcher inside the old city. many protestants also do not dismiss the option that the church of the holy sepulcher is the original site but they claim, even though the known facts, the garden toms presents and preserves the original atmosphere of the burial place of Jesus as it has been 2000 years ago’ unlike the church of the holy sepulcher.
Visiting the Garden Tomb
The garden is well organized with places to sit, restrooms, and drinking water. There is also a gift shop with souvenirs catering to the tourists.
it is recommended to call to the garden tomb office and ask to join a tour (for free), this way you can be certain to enjoy the explanations of the local guides that volunteer in the place. also, you can book a tour at this link: The garden tomb; but you can also show up without coordinating and tour the place individually or if you lucky to join a tour that just has started
Directions
From Damascus Gate of Old Jerusalem, cross the main street and walk up Nablus Road and get to Conrad Schick Streets, where the Garden Tom is.
Open for tours and worship services
The Garden Tomb and
Address: Conrad Schick St., Jerusalem
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday: closed!
Telephone +972-2-539-8100
