Garden of Gethsemane

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, Jerusalem, Israel

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Apr.-Sept., daily 8-12 and 2-6; Oct.-Mar., daily 8-12 and 2-5. Close
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The beautiful Garden of Gethsemane Photo - Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Israel

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A Beautiful, Tranquil Heaven in a Busy City!

by karly07

Belfast, United Kingdom

October 1, 2009

A popular spot for many bus tours, with Christian pilgrims on board, to visit is the Garden of Gethsemane, well known as the place where Jesus went with his disciples before he died, as chronicled in the New Testament. Yet, although the garden is ...Read more A popular spot for many bus tours, with Christian pilgrims on board, to visit is the Garden of Gethsemane, well known as the place where Jesus went with his disciples before he died, as chronicled in the New Testament. Yet, although the garden is mainly filled with visitors of the Christian faith, it is a place worth visiting even if you are not religious - simply for its sheer beauty and peace and quiet.

The site of Gethsemane is at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Gethsemane is actually derived from a Aramaic word meaning 'olive press' and it is not hard to see why, when in front of you in the garden of olive trees that are dated as at least 2000 years old.

There is no admission fee to this garden, and the actual garden is closed off so visitors cannot walk through it, (only around it) which is actually a nice idea, since no one would want to see such a lovely place ruined with people continually treading through it. The garden itself is keep in beautiful condition, and it lush looking, despite the heat.

We visited late afternoon, and found that although there were a few tour groups, it was still possible to simply sit in the shade and enjoy the peace and quiet that the garden offers. It really is a serene place to come and reflect or just to get away from the hustle bustle of the city.

On the other side of the actual garden is the Church of All Nations, a beautiful building that houses The Rock of Agony, the bedrock beside which Jesus is said to have prayed on the night of his betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Again, the Church itself, which has signs up, asking visitors to be quiet as they walk around it, allowing others time to sit down and pray or reflect in quietness, is a peaceful place to be, Yes, it is rather dark, with not much natural light filtering through, but it has a calmess which is enjoyable.

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Garden of Gethsemane, for not only is it an important Christian religious site, it is a wonderfully peaceful and beautiful site, for those who are not religious to visit, and get away from noisy, crowded city life. I always expected this place, because it is linked to such a sorrowful time in Jesus' life, to be rather dark and dismal, but it was the opposite - a place of beauty and serenity.

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From journal An Unforgettable Independent Trip to Israel and Jordan

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Garden of Gethsemane

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A Beautiful, Tranquil Heaven in a Busy City!

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A Beautiful, Tranquil Heaven in a Busy City!

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