The Chapel of the Ascension in the Mount of Olives is situated where Jesus is believed to have ascended to heaven, however all that is left is a small octagonal-structure in an area that ones was part of a large Christian church complex , which after became a monastery, and is today an Islamic mosque that is controlled by Islamic authority.
The dome contains a unique slab of stone believed to have Jesus last footprint on earth, despite this the shrine remains a simple holy site shrine, and is regularly overlooked by most Christian pilgrims touring Jerusalem. Simple and unadorned, the Dome is located in a walled-compound east of the main road that goes up to the top of Mount of Olives.
Soon after Jesus resurrection, early Christians used a small cave in the Mount of Olives area as a secluded place to commemorate the Ascension because of early persecution by the government. After this period, the spot of commemoration was moved in 384 to it's present location, uphill from the cave location. The famous pilgrim Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great whom traveled to the holy land from 326 to 328, was moved after her travels to construct two sanctuary complexes at the site.
The Christian church and monastery of the Ascension lasted until 1187, abandoned by Christians moving to Acre as a result of Sultan Saladin conquering the area. Because Muslims also recognize the Ascension of Jesus, the chapel was converted into a mosque, however the majority of pilgrims to the site were Christians, in a compromising gesture the Sultan , ordered a second mosque constructed nearby for Muslims, while Christians continued to visit the main chapel. Over the next 300 years there was periods of non use and disrepair of the chapel.
While many Christians touring the Holy Land prefer to visit other Christian Churches commemorating the Ascension, you'll find a few believers whom take private tours to the holy site today since it is currently opened to visitors of all faiths, for a nominal fee. Several different Christian communities are also allowed to hold celebrations specially on the Ascension feast days in the holy land.