Mount of Olives - Jerusalem
Introduction
The Mount of the Olives is a mountain, close to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its’ name comes from the fact that in the past, this mountain was covered with the olive trees. In Arabic name of this mount is Jabal az-Zaytun and al-Tur. This mountain is 826m in height and it is part of the Judean Mountains.
There are many historical and religious sites on the mountains and it’s slopes. Some of the monuments which are at the Mount of Olives are the Church of Maria Magdalene, Dominus Flevit Church, Chapel and Mosque of the Ascension, Gethsemane, Mary’s Tomb, Church of the Pater Noster, the Seven Arches Hotel and Augusta Victoria Hospital.
Importance of the Mount of Olives
It is believed that Jesus will appear on this hill and he will bring back all the dead, thus increase the holiness of this site. Roman soldiers from the 10th Legion camped on the Mount during the Siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD.
A Jewish cemetery sits on the slopes of the Mount of Olives in the eastern part of Jerusalem. The Garden of Gethsemane (where Jesus prayed before his arrest by the Romans) is on the slopes of the mountain. Next to it, is the Russian Orthodox Church while the Church of All Nations is at the bottom of this mountain. The Tomb of Zechariah and Benei Hezir are also located on the Mount of Olives. This mountain has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years.
Viewing Platforms
Ras al-Amoud is a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem and it has the Mosque of Muhammad Al-Fatih. There is an ongoing issue with this mosque because Israeli authorities want to demolish it. There are viewing platforms on the mountain, where tourists can enjoy the panoramic views of Jerusalem.
The place (maqqam) of Rabia Basri is located beside the Mosque of Ascension at the top of this mountain. Rabia Basri stayed and prayed at this site here when she was in Jerusalem.
