A Guide to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem
Mount of Olives, also known as Mount Olivet, is one of the most historically significant areas and top attractions in Jerusalem worth visiting. The hill is deeply connected with Jewish, Christian and even Islam history, is within walking distance from the city center, and offers many things to see and do. We believe including the Mount of Olives is a good idea as it is simply not enough to observe it from a distance.
Religious and Historical Significance
As the name suggests, Mount of Olives got its name after olive groves that in the past covered the area. It is even possible to spot there an olive tree that is more than 2000 years old! Yes, one of the most important things to know about Israel is that the history of this region is thousands of years old. Still, even old tales say that in Jesus' period, people were hiding under the trees from the shadow.
Mount of Olives is believed to be a place where Jesus spent an important part of his life teaching his philosophy before he was arrested and sentenced to crucifixion. He even prayed there one day before the arrest, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and it is believed that he ascended to heaven on the top of the hill as well. Kidron Valley at the foot of Mount of Olives is a place where the Last Judgement will take place, and the mount itself will then split in two once the Messiah comes.
The Jewish Cemetery
What is even more interesting than the name is the fact that the hill is home to one of the largest and oldest Jewish cemeteries in the world. It is actually the oldest continuously used cemetery in the world. Having a grave on Mount of Olives is a thing you cannot put a price tag on. Simply put, it is an honor to have a spot here, and people who want to be buried here should prepare tens of thousands of dollars. Archives say that about 150 000 graves are on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, which is a pretty impressive number. This also explains why Jews want to be buried here; they simply want to be first in line because the resurrection will begin on the Mount of Olives, so the closer, the better.
Key Facts About the Mount of Olives
| Feature | Details |
| Historical Status | Oldest continuously used cemetery in the world |
| Estimated Graves | About 150,000 |
| Oldest Olive Trees | More than 2,000 years old |
| Location | Separated from Temple Mount by Kidron Valley |
Practical Tips for Visiting
Jerusalem is a city full of history, and this fact, combined with walking its narrow maze-like, often crowded streets in the Old City, can easily make you feel overwhelmed. Mount of Olives, which is from the Temple Mount, separated only by Kidron Valley, seemed like a perfect place to visit. The visit feels much more relaxed and really deserves your attention. Visiting Mount of Olives on your own is not hard, and we enjoyed we could explore everything it has to offer, both the views and sights, at a leisure pace.
Visiting Mount of Olives can be very exhausting, especially in the summer, if you decide to walk uphill. Although Jerusalem is a city full of attractions and one would think there's no need to leave the city center, you'll have to do it if you want to visit Mount of Olives. If you are into architecture, city views, or want to simply visit one of the most prominent cemeteries in the world, this place has a lot to offer in every way.