Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Why go

For many Christians, this is Jerusalem's central pilgrimage church. The route from Calvary's chapels to the Rotunda and Edicule brings the places associated with crucifixion and burial into one building. Several Christian communities share custody and worship space, so the interior also shows how different traditions have lived beside one another here for centuries.

What to look for

• The Rotunda encloses the Edicule associated with Jesus's tomb.
• Calvary chapels mark the traditional crucifixion site.
• Different Christian communities maintain distinct spaces within the church.

The full story

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has drawn Christian pilgrims since late antiquity because it encloses places traditionally identified with Jesus's crucifixion and burial. Its interior is not arranged like a single, uniform church. Calvary's chapels, the Stone of Anointing and the Edicule within the Rotunda reflect different parts of the Passion story and centuries of building. Custody is shared among several Christian communities, whose rights in particular spaces and times of worship are carefully defined. A small ladder on a ledge above the entrance has long been cited as a visible reminder of those shared arrangements. Seeing the building as both a sacred site and a place of negotiated coexistence helps make sense of its many chapels, lamps and rituals.

Useful to know

• Allow time for both Calvary and the Rotunda rather than stopping at the entrance.
• Check current access with the custodians before visiting, as services and temporary restrictions can affect entry.

Your next visit

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