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The Garden Tomb is a site north of Jerusalem’s Old City which some believe is the site of the crucifixion and burial place of Jesus. It is an alternative tradition to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is revered by since the 4th Century.

History of the Garden Tomb

General Charles Gordon, a British Army officer was the first to propose the Garden Tomb site in 1883. Noticing an ancient tomb near skull-like shaped rock, he suggested it to be Jesus’ crucifixion and burial site. This identification became a subject of debate among scholars and historians yet gained much recognition. It eventually became a site Christian pilgrimage destination and particularly among Protestant denominations.

The Riddle of Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial Site

The New Testament offers limited details about the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. It indicates that the execution site was called Golgotha (“Skull” in Aramaic, John 19:17) outside the city (Hebrew 13:12). The Gospel of John mentions a garden and near the tomb (19:41). In the 4th century AD the Church of the Holy Sepulchre wad constructed over an identification of these locations. However, it is inside Jerusalem’s Old City, and the execution site lacks skull-like features. In contrary, the Garden Tomb lies outside the old city walls and features both a tomb, a garden and a rock resembling a skull. Nevertheless, the location remains an academic controversy to this day.

Visiting the Garden Tomb

garden tombA committee based in London owns and maintains the site. A devoted team of guides offer free tours and spaces for communal prayers. The Garden Tomb welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Friday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and again from 14:00 to 17:30. It is especially popular among some Protestant denominations, particularly those with a more evangelical, LDS, and non-denominational orientation.

A visit to the Garden Tomb can be combined with a Day tour of Jerusalem.

“Visiting the Garden Tomb provides a serene and spiritual experience, connecting to Jesus in a tranquil and devotional space” (Danny “the Digger” Herman)

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