The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is home to some of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in Jerusalem. Within its walls are chapels, shrines, altars, tombs, and historic spaces traditionally associated with the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
For a first-time visitor, the church can be surprisingly difficult to navigate. Important sites are spread throughout the complex, and some are easy to overlook if you simply follow the main path through the building.
This guide highlights the most important things to see inside and around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, explains what each site represents, and helps you understand what to look for during your visit.
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The Most Important Things to See
If you have limited time, prioritize these sites:
- Golgotha (Calvary): the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion
- The Aedicule and Holy Tomb: the traditional site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection
- The Stone of Anointing: traditionally associated with the preparation of Jesus’ body for burial
- The Katholikon and Rotunda: the church’s major architectural and worship spaces
- The Chapel of Saint Helena
- The Chapel of the Finding of the Cross
- The Chapel of Adam
- The Immovable Ladder: outside the church
There are many additional chapels and spaces within the complex, so allow enough time to explore rather than simply visiting the most famous shrines.
1. Golgotha (Calvary)
Golgotha, also known as Calvary, is traditionally identified as the place where Jesus was crucified.
Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of the crucifixion is located above the main level of the church. Visitors climb a short flight of stairs to reach the chapels associated with Golgotha.
The area contains the Altar of the Crucifixion, beneath which visitors can see a section of exposed rock traditionally associated with the site of the cross. Golgotha is one of the most important places in the entire church and is often crowded with pilgrims waiting to pray at the site.
If you want to understand the significance of this area in more detail, see our complete guide to Golgotha (Calvary) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
2. The Aedicule and Holy Tomb
At the center of the church’s Rotunda stands the Aedicule, also spelled Edicule. This small shrine encloses the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb and is therefore one of the most significant places inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Aedicule contains two small chambers. The first is traditionally associated with the angel who announced the resurrection, while the inner chamber contains the stone bench traditionally identified as the burial place of Jesus.
Pilgrims from around the world come to the Aedicule to pray and venerate the Holy Tomb. Because it is one of the church’s most important sites, lines can form to enter the shrine, particularly during busy periods.
For a deeper look at its history and architecture, read our complete guide to the Aedicule of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
3. The Stone of Anointing
The Stone of Anointing is located near the entrance to the church. According to Christian tradition, this is the stone on which Jesus’ body was prepared for burial after the crucifixion.
The polished stone is an important place of prayer and devotion. Visitors may see pilgrims kneeling before it, touching it, or praying beside it. Because the stone is close to the main entrance, it is one of the first significant sites you are likely to encounter when entering the church.
Take a moment to look at the surrounding artwork and lamps as well as the stone itself.
Want to learn more? Visit our guide to the Stone of the Anointing.
4. The Rotunda
The Rotunda is the enormous circular space surrounding the Aedicule. Above it is the church’s large dome, which provides one of the most recognizable architectural features of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The scale of the Rotunda can be easy to miss if you are focused entirely on reaching the Holy Tomb. Once you enter this part of the church, take a moment to look upward and around the space.
The Rotunda also helps put the Aedicule into perspective: the shrine stands at the center of one of the church’s most important architectural spaces.
5. The Katholikon
The Katholikon is the main worship area used by the Greek Orthodox community. It occupies a prominent position within the church and is recognizable by its large domed interior, ornate decoration, icons, and religious artwork.
The Katholikon remains an active place of worship, so visitors should be respectful when services are taking place. Rather than viewing it simply as a historic room, remember that the church is still a living place of prayer and liturgy.
6. Chapel of Saint Helena
The Chapel of Saint Helena is located in the lower part of the church. The chapel is traditionally associated with Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who Christian tradition credits with identifying important sites associated with Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
Its underground setting gives the chapel a very different atmosphere from the larger spaces above. Look for the architectural details and decorative artwork within the chapel, and take time to appreciate the way the space fits into the much larger complex above it.
Learn more about the Chapel of Saint Helena.
7. Chapel of the Finding of the Cross
The Chapel of the Finding of the Cross is traditionally associated with Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross. According to Christian tradition, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was discovered during excavations in Jerusalem in the fourth century.
The chapel is located in the lower section of the church and is one of the places that connects the present-day building with the traditions surrounding the early Christian history of Jerusalem.
You can read more about its history and significance in our guide to the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross.
8. Chapel of Adam
The Chapel of Adam is traditionally associated with Adam, the first man in the biblical tradition. It is located beneath the area identified with Golgotha.
Christian tradition connects the chapel’s location with the symbolism of Christ’s crucifixion: Adam represents humanity’s fall, while Christ’s death on the cross represents redemption.
The chapel is small and easy to overlook, but its location makes it particularly interesting when exploring the relationship between the different sacred sites inside the church.
9. The Immovable Ladder
One of the strangest things to see at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also one of the easiest to miss. Look outside the church for the famous Immovable Ladder, a wooden ladder resting against a window ledge.
The ladder became associated with the complicated system of shared custody governing the church. Under the Status Quo, the different Christian communities responsible for parts of the church must agree before certain changes can be made.
The ladder has therefore become a famous symbol of the delicate relationship between the communities that share responsibility for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The ladder is particularly interesting because it looks completely ordinary. Its significance comes from the history surrounding it.
For its full history, see our complete guide to the Immovable Ladder.
10. The Ethiopian Monastery
The Ethiopian Orthodox community has maintained a presence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for centuries.
The Ethiopian monastic community is associated with the area around the church’s roof and provides another reminder that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is shared by several distinct Christian traditions.
Access to some areas associated with the monastery may vary, so don’t assume that every part of the complex is freely accessible at all times.
11. Armenian Areas of the Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the historic Christian communities with rights and responsibilities within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Armenian presence is particularly visible in the church’s chapels, artwork, liturgical traditions, and surrounding areas. As you explore the church, pay attention to the differences in decoration, icons, architecture, and religious practices between the various communities.
These differences are part of what makes the Church of the Holy Sepulchre unusual: it is not simply one church belonging to one denomination, but a shared sacred complex with centuries of overlapping traditions.
12. Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre also contains spaces associated with Saint Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus’ followers and a central figure in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection. The chapel contains religious artwork and icons associated with the saint and remains an important place of prayer.
It is another example of how the church contains many smaller spaces that can easily be missed when visitors focus only on Golgotha and the Holy Tomb.
How to Find the Main Sites Inside the Church
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre can feel confusing the first time you enter. A simple way to think about your visit is to divide the church into several areas:
Near the entrance:
Look for the Stone of Anointing.
Above the main level:
Go upstairs to the area associated with Golgotha and Calvary.
Central Rotunda:
Look for the Aedicule and Holy Tomb beneath the large dome.
Lower areas:
Explore the Chapel of Saint Helena, Chapel of the Finding of the Cross, and Chapel of Adam.
Around the main worship areas:
Look for the chapels, artwork, icons, and spaces associated with the different Christian communities.
Outside the church:
Look for the famous Immovable Ladder.
Because the layout is complex, a guided tour can make it much easier to understand how the different locations relate to one another.
How Long Does It Take to See Everything?
If you only want to see the church’s major highlights, allow at least one to two hours. You may want longer if you:
- want to pray at the Holy Tomb
- plan to wait in line for the Aedicule
- attend a service
- want to explore the smaller chapels
- are interested in the architecture and history
- are visiting as part of a pilgrimage
- are taking a guided tour
The church can also become very crowded, which means that moving between the major sites may take longer than expected. Don’t plan your visit around a tight schedule if you want time to explore.
Should You Take a Guided Tour?
A guide can be particularly helpful at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre because many of the most important sites are not immediately obvious.
A good guide can explain:
- which locations are associated with the crucifixion and burial of Jesus
- the history of the church’s construction and reconstruction
- the different Christian communities that share the church
- the meaning of the chapels and shrines
- the Status Quo and shared custodianship
- the traditions associated with individual sites
If you are visiting for the first time and the history is an important part of your experience, a guided tour can help you understand much more than you would by simply walking through the church.
See our guide to Church of the Holy Sepulchre tours.
Things to Remember While Exploring
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is both a historic site and an active place of worship. Keep these things in mind during your visit:
- Be respectful of worshippers. Services and prayers take place throughout the day.
- Keep your voice low. Some areas are particularly quiet and devotional.
- Follow instructions from church officials. Access to particular areas can change depending on religious services or other circumstances.
- Don’t block entrances or prayer areas. The church can become crowded.
- Be patient. You may need to wait to enter particularly important sites such as the Aedicule.
- Dress modestly. Visitors should dress appropriately for an active place of worship.
- Don’t rush. Some of the most interesting details are easy to overlook.
The Church is More Than Its Most Famous Sites
Golgotha and the Holy Tomb are understandably the main attractions for many visitors, but the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is much more than two locations. Its chapels, artwork, architecture, traditions, and shared custodianship tell a story that has developed over nearly two thousand years.
Take time to look beyond the obvious highlights. Notice the different styles of religious art. Look at the chapels tucked away beneath the main church. Pay attention to the people praying around you. Look for evidence of the different Christian traditions that have maintained a presence here for centuries.
That is part of what makes visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre such a unique experience.
Plan Your Visit
Before visiting, make sure you know the practical details that can affect your experience. See our complete Plan Your Visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre guide for information about:
- Opening hours
- Admission and tickets
- Mass and service times
- What to wear
- The best time to visit
- How long to spend at the church
- Guided tours
You can also read our guide to how to get to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for directions, maps, Old City gates, and transportation information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important sites include Golgotha (Calvary), the Aedicule and Holy Tomb, the Stone of Anointing, the Rotunda, the Katholikon, the Chapel of Saint Helena, the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross, and the Chapel of Adam.
For many Christian pilgrims, the Aedicule and Holy Tomb are the most important sites because the shrine traditionally marks the location of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Golgotha, the traditional site of the crucifixion, is also of central importance.
The Aedicule contains the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb. Visitors may be able to enter the shrine and see the burial chamber, although lines and access can vary depending on crowds and religious activity.
Golgotha is located above the main level of the church and is reached by climbing stairs. The area contains the traditional site of the crucifixion.
The Stone of Anointing is a stone near the entrance of the church that Christian tradition associates with the preparation of Jesus’ body for burial.
The Aedicule is the small shrine in the center of the church’s Rotunda that encloses the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb.
The Immovable Ladder is a wooden ladder resting against a window ledge outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It has become a famous symbol of the Status Quo and the complicated shared custodianship of the church.
Allow at least one to two hours to see the major sites. You may want considerably longer if you are attending a service, waiting to enter the Aedicule, taking a tour, or exploring the church in detail.
No. You can visit independently. However, the church’s complex layout and history mean that a guided tour can help you understand the significance of many sites that are easy to miss.
Make the Most of Your Visit
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre can seem overwhelming at first, but knowing what to look for makes the experience much more rewarding.
Start with the major sites (Golgotha, the Stone of Anointing, and the Aedicule) then give yourself time to explore the chapels and quieter corners of the complex.
And remember that you are visiting a living place of worship as well as one of the world’s most important historic Christian sites. Take your time, be respectful, and allow the church itself to be part of the experience.