The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, is one of the most sacred sites in Christianity. It is believed to be the site of both the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus Christ. Visiting this historic and spiritual site requires some planning, especially for first-time visitors.

Here’s a guide to help you navigate your way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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Where is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre located?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem between Suq Khan e-Zeit and Christian Quarter Road.

Mailing Address of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Old City, P.O. Box 428, 9100301 Jerusalem

Map of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Navigating the Old City of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s Old City is a walled area with narrow streets and alleys, divided into four quarters: the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is situated in the Christian Quarter.

Entry Points to the Old City

There are several gates through which you can enter the Old City. The most convenient gates for reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are:

  1. Jaffa Gate: This is one of the main entrances to the Old City and is the closest to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It’s popular among tourists because of its proximity to many hotels and the Mamilla Mall.
  2. New Gate: Located near the Christian Quarter, this gate offers a relatively straightforward path to the Holy Sepulchre Church.
  3. Damascus Gate: While this gate leads into the Muslim Quarter, it is a popular entry point and not far from the Church.

Directions from Jaffa Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  1. Enter Jaffa Gate: Once you pass through Jaffa Gate, you’ll find yourself on David Street.
  2. Follow David Street: Walk straight along David Street until you reach the Armenian Patriarchate Road.
  3. Turn Left: Take a left onto the Armenian Patriarchate Road and continue walking.
  4. Right onto Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Road: After a short walk, you’ll see the entrance to the Christian Quarter. Turn right onto the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Road.
  5. Reach the Church: Continue straight, and you will soon arrive at the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Directions from New Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  1. Enter New Gate: Head straight into the Old City from the New Gate.
  2. Follow the Path: Walk straight along the road, which will lead you into the heart of the Christian Quarter.
  3. Reach the Church: After about a 5-10 minute walk, you will find signs directing you to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Directions from Damascus Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  1. Enter Damascus Gate: Once inside, follow the main road which leads you through the bustling market area of the Muslim Quarter.
  2. Turn Left onto Khan Al-Zeit Street: As you walk, you’ll need to turn left onto Khan Al-Zeit Street.
  3. Continue to Christian Quarter Road: Walk straight until you reach Christian Quarter Road.
  4. Reach the Church: Follow the signs pointing to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which will be on your right.

Using Public Transportation

Jerusalem also has an efficient public transportation system, including buses and light rail. Here’s how you can use them to get to the Old City of Jerusalem.

  • Bus: Many buses stop near the Old City. Look for routes that stop at the Jaffa Gate or Damascus Gate. From there, follow the walking directions above.
  • Light Rail: The Jerusalem Light Rail has a stop at City Hall (HaRav Kook Street), which is a short walk from Jaffa Gate.

Prefer a Tour to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?

If you’re concerned about getting to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on your own, consider joining a tour that will take you there. Learn more about tours of Jerusalem here.