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Top 5 Sites in the Holy Land

What would you say are five of the “must see” areas in the Holy Land? Do you have a list of places to see when you come or places you have already visited? We asked travelers with Aeolus Tours what they thought where some of the best places to see and this is what we learned.

Mount of Olives –

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The Mount of Olives is one of three hills to the east of Jerusalem and is the location of many biblical events. In the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 15:30, King David fled Jerusalem over the Mount of Olives to escape when his son Absalom rebelled. In the New Testament, Jesus often travelled over the Mount of Olives on the 40-minute walk from the Temple to Bethany.

The Mount of Olives is the location of several major sites for visitors. They include:

• The Overlook • Church of Pater Noster
• Church of All Nations • Dome of the Ascension
• Church of St. Mary Magdalene • The Garden of Gethsemane
• Church of Dominus Flevit • Tomb of Mary

Sea of Galilee –

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Among Holy Land sites, the Sea of Galilee has changed comparatively little since Jesus walked on its shores and recruited four fishermen as his first disciples. Jesus made the fishing town of Capernaum the center of his itinerant ministry in Galilee, using the lake, its boats and its shores to spread his Good News. He calmed a storm; he walked on the water and probably even swam in the lake. Local sites include:

  • Capernaum National Park
    • Tabgha
    • Mount of Beatitudes
    • Mount Tabor
    • Bethsaida

Church of the Nativity: 

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Identified as the birthplace of Jesus since the 2nd century, a church was first completed there in 339 A.D. and the edifice that replaced it after a fire in the 6th century retains elaborate floor mosaics from the original building. The site also includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian convents and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and a pilgrimage route. Key places to see:

  • Entrance
    • The Cave
    • Christmas on January 7th

 

Church of the Holy Sepulcher: 

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The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was originally built by the mother of Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D. to commemorate the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ’s burial. Key places to see:

  • Crusader Façade
    • Place of Crucifixion
    • The Edicule
    • First-Century Tomb

 

Dome of the Rock / Temple Mount Area: 

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Located in Jerusalem, The Temple Mount is a holy site within the Old City for Jewish, Christian and Muslim people. All visitors can tour the compound and Al-Aqsa Mosque, except for the Dome of the Rock. Key places to see:

  • Temple Mount
    • Accommodating Crowds
    • Dome of the Rock
    • Western Wall

 

We would like to hear about your favorite places to see in the Holy Land, let us know if we can help plan your next trip 

Reference sources: http://www.bibleplaces.com

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