294. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

What is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? 

It's a church located on the site where Jesus was both crucified (once known as Calvary or Golgotha) and buried. The church contains the final four stations of the cross. It has been a site of disputed ownership ever since a church was first built here by Constantine the Great, starting in 325.

What's the Church of the Holy Sepulchre like?

It's mind-blowing to think that you're on the spot where such historic events happened - you can put your hand into the hole where the cross was believed to have stood and then queue up to spend a few moments in front of the tomb.

Where is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

Jerusalem, Israel

When did we go?

June 2018

How did we get there?

I joined a week-long Biblical Lands tour group, which also covered the Dome of the Rock (86), Beit She'an (removed from the 2020 edition) and the Sea of Galilee (also removed from 2020 edition). It also included the Dead Sea although I didn't go there. I highly recommend the whole trip - it was fantastic.

Worth noting

I recommend visiting the other stations of the cross around Jerusalem (the route is known as Via Dolorosa) but dress modestly when you're heading into the church - they're very strict.

Where was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

256

Does the Church of the Holy Sepulchre deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500?

Absolutely yes.