Explore Jerusalem’s Old City with a local Greek-Orthodox Christian guide. Discover sacred sites that shaped faith traditions across centuries, and walk through ancient streets filled with living history. Enjoy a local lunch experience in a quiet and authentic place, and meet artisans who preserve traditional crafts with great devotion.
Begin your journey at Jaffa Gate. Meet the guide, hear a short introduction and head through the bustling city to the Temple Mount.
Admire the beautiful structures that rest upon one of the most meaningful places in biblical history. Learn about the First Temple built by Solomon, and the Second Temple expanded by Herod and visited by Jesus. Understanding how the wide plaza also became the center of Muslim worship, the Temple Mount today reflects centuries of devotion.
Continue to the Pools of Bethesda which show deep archaeological remains from many periods. Walk through the complex that preserves large ritual pools where Jesus healed an invalid man. Learn how the site reveals a mixture of water engineering with later Christian churches, and visit its new museum.
next, follow the Via Dolorosa which begins at the Praetorium, and winds through narrow stone lanes. Learn how Christian pilgrims marked each station to remember the journey of Jesus toward the Crucifixion. Hear explanations about the traditions behind each stop and how they developed through many centuries. Along this walk enjoy a light lunch near the Christian Quarter, tasting simple local dishes prepared with fresh ingredients.
Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which serves as one of the most sacred sites in the Christian world. Explore the place connected with the Crucifixion known as Golgotha. Continue to the area that honors the tomb of Jesus and his Resurrection. Learn about the architectural layers from Byzantine, Crusader, and later periods, and the recent restoration projects
Continue to the Jewish Quarter. Walk through the restored Cardo, which served as a main Roman street, and reach Mount Zion. Reach the Upper Room, which preserves the memory of the Last Supper, today reflecting Crusaders’ period architecture. Beneath it, visit the traditional marking of King David’s Tomb, which reflects medieval tradition, and learn why the site still carries deep meaning for visitors.
Finish at the traditional place linked with the descent of the Holy Spirit described in the Book of Acts. Hear how the early Christian community, and reflect on the spiritual message that shaped the growth of the early church. Learn also about the local Catholic Tradition about Mary’s rest place.
At the end of the tour, your guide will return to Jaffa Gate through the Armenian Quarter, including an optional visit to Saint James Cathedral.
