Location

It is located outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem, 200 meters from the Damascus Gate.

“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” (John 19:41)

Biblical Significance

The Garden Tomb is visited by many Christian pilgrims as it is believed to be a possible site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus and hence, this place allows his followers to visualize the events that happened here and connect with him spiritually.

Many statements in the Gospel support the belief that Jesus was buried here.

“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.” (John 19:41)

Indeed, archaeological evidence suggests the presence of an ancient garden in the area, which was watered by a nearby cistern, that is present to this day.

Furthermore, there is a hill nearby that can be viewed from the Garden Tomb which is shaped like a skull. The Bible states, “They came to a place called Golgotha.” (Matthew 27:23) Golgotha translates to the “place of the skull.”

Not only this, but the tomb was carved out of a compact rock and has a vast area inside it that served as a compartment where his followers could lament, matching the descriptions of the tomb in Matthew 27:60 and Luke 24:1-3.

Main Attractions

Entry to the Garden Tomb is free. The area is preserved by The Garden Tomb Jerusalem Association by charitable contributions. Benches and toilets are present on site. Additionally, tour guides will accompany you (again, for free!) and narrate to you the series of events that took place here at The Garden Tomb with such passion in their words that you will not help but be drifted away and find yourself experiencing emotions as if the crucifixion, burial and resurrection have once again come to play!

Skull Hill

This Hill can be viewed from the Garden Tomb and is so called because of its skull-like appearance. It is believed to be the “Golgotha” that is mentioned in the Bible.

The Garden itself

With its fresh colours and a tranquil environment, it is the perfect area to ponder upon the events of the night of the burial and remember Jesus.

 The Tomb

Made out of a compact rock, the tomb contains two chambers and a deep canal in front of its entrance, where the covering stone was believed to be rolled. However, a there is a lot of dispute as to whether this Tomb is the actual burial place of Jesus. Nevertheless, it holds spiritual importance for many.

 The Rainwater Cistern and Wine Press

This gigantic cistern has a capacity of about a thousand cubic meters and can be dated to the Age of the Crusaders because of its water-repelling mechanism.  The nearby splendid wine press dates back to the Roman era.

 The Gift Shop

This shop supports the local craftsmen that live nearby. It consists of delicately crafted art pieces that you will be tempted to purchase as souvenirs of your visit to the Tomb!

The Garden Tomb is a great place to visit if you want to revive your spiritual connection to Jesus. The tour guides are just a cherry on top and make the trip worthwhile!

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Garden_Tomb

https://gardentomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/English.pdf