Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
4.5
About
Located on the Mount of Olives, this beautiful church was first built by the Byzantines in 379 and rebuilt between 1919 and 1924, whose construction was financed from contributions made by many countries.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
792 within 5 kms
Attractions
384 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- SmartTravelerMuar, Malaysia658 contributionsA Beautiful ChurchThe Church of All Nations was built next to the Rock of Agony. It is used by all denominations. They are the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical and Anglican. It was built with donations from various nations. The Church of All Nations has a Byzantine dome, and Corinthian columns with frontage of mosaic inlaid. Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this master piece in 1920.Visited September 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 March 2023
- Brenda SAuckland Central, New Zealand42 contributionsA place of calm in which to reflect.A calm space to relax and reflect. Located just across the Kieron Valley with a view to the Gate of Mercy And next to the Garden of Gethsemane the Bascilica covers the remained of the rock at which Jesus prayed in agony; so it is fitting that it is now an oasis of calm. The church itself is ornate and beautiful but that perhaps is not why you would go there. Given the lack of private seating in the garden of Gethsemane right next door this is the space in which to reflect.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 April 2023
- David GGedera, Israel1,413 contributionsA must visit church when travelling in the Jerusalem areaOne of the most famous churches based around Jerusalem, found on postcards , and yet it took me more than 30 years of living in Israel to visit this amazing place !!. Don't just look at the amazing paintings on the walls , look up at the ceilings , there's art there as well !!. Best NOT to use flash when taking pictures ( there IS a way to take acceptable quality images in this amazing place even with smartphones ( auto ISO worked for me ) .Sometimes there are services being held , so respect the sanctity of this place ( hats OFF when inside the church ). Best to visit during the Spring and Autumn/Fall months , .RECOMMENDEDVisited July 2023Written 17 July 2023
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,793 contributionsChurch aims to be an inclusive place of worshipThe Church of All Nations is a beautiful church commemorating the Agony of Jesus the night before he was arrested. The Church dates back to the Crusader era, and some structures predate that. Although the Basilica is a Catholic Church, an outside altar allows for worship by all denominations. The Basilica of the Agony is situated on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 13 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,002 reviews
Excellent
661
Very good
279
Average
56
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,793 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Church of All Nations is a beautiful church commemorating the Agony of Jesus the night before he was arrested. The Church dates back to the Crusader era, and some structures predate that. Although the Basilica is a Catholic Church, an outside altar allows for worship by all denominations. The Basilica of the Agony is situated on the Mount of Olives, adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
Gedera, Israel1,413 contributions
Jul 2023
One of the most famous churches based around Jerusalem, found on postcards , and yet it took me more than 30 years of living in Israel to visit this amazing place !!.
Don't just look at the amazing paintings on the walls , look up at the ceilings , there's art there as well !!.
Best NOT to use flash when taking pictures ( there IS a way to take acceptable quality images in this amazing place even with smartphones ( auto ISO worked for me ) .Sometimes there are services being held , so respect the sanctity of this place ( hats OFF when inside the church ).
Best to visit during the Spring and Autumn/Fall months , .RECOMMENDED
Don't just look at the amazing paintings on the walls , look up at the ceilings , there's art there as well !!.
Best NOT to use flash when taking pictures ( there IS a way to take acceptable quality images in this amazing place even with smartphones ( auto ISO worked for me ) .Sometimes there are services being held , so respect the sanctity of this place ( hats OFF when inside the church ).
Best to visit during the Spring and Autumn/Fall months , .RECOMMENDED
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura R
Guttenberg, NJ304 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
This is a beautiful church next door to the Garden of Gethsemane. It is beautiful and a great place to sit and relax. The Church inside is quiet.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael V
Madison, MS2 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
This is a beautiful church built with support from seven countries. The roof has 7 domes. The US dome is on the first dome on the right from the front door. The tiles are blue lapis - with the seal of the United States in mosaic.
For a Christian, to know that you are at the spot where Jesus wept (the rock is exposed in front of the altar) is very moving.
For a Christian, to know that you are at the spot where Jesus wept (the rock is exposed in front of the altar) is very moving.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary D
Phoenix, AZ55 contributions
Feb 2023
The murals outside and inside are breathtaking. This is an active church operated by multiple Christian (catholic) churches.
Written 17 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Auckland Central, New Zealand42 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
A calm space to relax and reflect. Located just across the Kieron Valley with a view to the Gate of Mercy And next to the Garden of Gethsemane the Bascilica covers the remained of the rock at which Jesus prayed in agony; so it is fitting that it is now an oasis of calm. The church itself is ornate and beautiful but that perhaps is not why you would go there. Given the lack of private seating in the garden of Gethsemane right next door this is the space in which to reflect.
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScenicSights
Wauwatosa, WI768 contributions
Mar 2023
It was pretty crowded and there was a service going on. I was in and out quite quickly but I took a few pictures. It's beautiful inside.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SmartTraveler
Muar, Malaysia658 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The Church of All Nations was built next to the Rock of Agony. It is used by all denominations. They are the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical and Anglican. It was built with donations from various nations.
The Church of All Nations has a Byzantine dome, and Corinthian columns with frontage of mosaic inlaid. Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this master piece in 1920.
The Church of All Nations has a Byzantine dome, and Corinthian columns with frontage of mosaic inlaid. Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed this master piece in 1920.
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eileen108
Mount Shasta, CA4,300 contributions
Nov 2022
The Church of all Nations is attached to the Garden of Gethsemane, it can be crowded and we couldn't go up close because a Mass was going on when we visited (group of 50 on a Holy Land tour). Still, it is a beautiful church and would have been nice to have more than five minutes there!
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flyingwish
Westminster, MD169 contributions
Dec 2022
Nothing unusual about this church. If you take the Mount Olive tour, it is on the way as you are walking down. Very quiet and peaceful.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the significance of the Rock of Agony outside the Church of all Nations in Jerusalem? Why is it considered a special rock as the Rock of Agony inside the church is believed to be where Jesus prayed. Thank you for clarifying.
AJ S
Ann Arbor, MI390 contributions
Let me be honest- I do not know. We have absorbed enormous amount of information during our pilgrim trip to the Holly Land, unfortunately not every place covered...
Łukasz W
Wroclaw, Poland52 contributions
Mini van with driver in Izrael...
Does anyone know an onest mini van driver/ owner, WHO can take me with a couple of people around Israel in April/ May 2019?
Łukasz W
Wroclaw, Poland52 contributions
Mini van with driver in Izrael...
Does anyone know an onest mini van driver/ owner, WHO can take me with a couple of people around Israel in April/ May 2019?
Deacon Jorge C
Jackson Heights, NY66 contributions
Try Aviatours
TingBen
3 contributions
We are not part of a tour group and we plan to attend the holy hour at the Basilica of the Agony which finishes around 9pm or later. Can we easily get a taxi there at night or a nearby taxi stand ? Are there nearby restaurants at the end of the Via Dolorosa and the Getsemane area ? I cannot find a restaurant in the googlemaps nearby and we plan just to hang around that area after the tour. Thanks
John P
22 contributions
For the Church of All Nations it is best to pre-book a taxi (via your hotel?) to pick you up after the Holy Hour.
There are no restaurants near Gethsemane or the church.
The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - again few, if any restaurants in close vicinity. Again your hotel can advise closer to the time of your visit.
Is Mt. of Olives opens for public everyday? Especially the Church of all Nation and the Garden of Getsemani?
John P
22 contributions
Yes, as far as i know it is open every day. There are restrictions in the walled Garden of Gethsemane which require booking ahead. The Church of All Nations entrance is immediately opposite across a narrow street. There may be an entrance fee to the Church which is accessed via the other part of the Garden. Each time I have been it has been with a pre-organised tour so we didn't buy entrance tickets on site. For further information contact the Order of Franciscans or the Latin patriarchate in Jerusalem (see online).
fosterjennings
Jerusalem, Israel
May I attend a worship service without a ticket
vesperado
Boca Raton, Florida256 contributions
Yes
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingChurch of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony), Jerusalem - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
- Hotels near Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony):
- (0.56 km) Ecce Homo Convent
- (0.72 km) Austrian Hospice
- (1.52 km) The American Colony Hotel
- (1.07 km) Christ Church Guest House
- (1.28 km) Notre Dame Guest House
- Restaurants near Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony):
- (0.65 km) Bassem’s Gallery & Cafe
- (1.16 km) Roots Restaurant
- (0.38 km) Jack Cake
- (0.75 km) Austrian Hospice
- (0.69 km) Abu Shukri