Visit the Tomb of the Virgin Mary on Your Holy Land Trip
At the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, you’ll find the revered Crusader church marking the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. This sacred site offers a serene and spiritual experience during your Holy Land pilgrimage, featuring a cave church with a carved tomb and hanging lanterns illuminating the reverence within.
A Place of Deep Christian Significance
The Tomb of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, holds deep meaning in Eastern Christianity, which teaches that Mary died a natural death and was assumed into heaven on the third day. Her tomb was found empty—an echo of the Resurrection of Christ.
Roman Catholics honor the Assumption of Mary into heaven, body and soul, although whether she physically died is left open in Church teaching. The Bible doesn’t mention Mary’s passing directly, but many apocryphal texts from the early church suggest she was taken to heaven in glory:
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun... she gave birth to a male child who is to rule all the nations...” – Revelation 12:1–5
Historical Roots and Pilgrimage Tradition
Although Scripture is silent on Mary’s burial, tradition holds that the tomb lies here in Jerusalem. Other claims, such as Ephesus in Turkey, have been debated since the 5th century.
Like Christ’s tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mary's tomb was carved from rock during the 5th century, with early records appearing in the 6th century. Emperor Maurice Tiberius commissioned a rotunda-style church above the tomb, destroyed later by Persian invaders in 614.
Crusader and Franciscan Legacy
Pilgrim Arculf visited in 680 and described a two-level round church. Later, Crusaders rebuilt the structure in 1130 as the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehoshaphat. After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, Saladin destroyed much of the church, sparing the lower level. The Franciscans took custodianship afterward, and today the site is overseen by the Greek Orthodox Church, while the nearby Garden of Gethsemane remains Franciscan.
A Sacred Experience for Pilgrims
Entering from the street, pilgrims descend into a courtyard framed by 12th-century columns. Down a staircase of 47 steps lies the tomb of Queen Melisende (d. 1161). The Byzantine crypt below, with blackened walls and ancient masonry, offers a truly holy atmosphere.
Inside, the tomb resembles that of Christ’s: a rock-hewn bench tomb with an altar. This sacred space remains one of the most ancient and meaningful sites to venerate the Blessed Virgin.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” – Luke 1:46–47
Plan Your Visit to the Virgin Mary’s Tomb
While not a primary stop for many Western Christian pilgrims, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary is a treasured part of Holy Land history and Christian devotion. Its peace, antiquity, and symbolism offer a moving encounter with the life and legacy of the mother of Jesus.
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