The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
4.5
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Starting at St. Stephen's (Lions') Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this is the route Jesus is said to have followed as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- BluebellplasnewyddCardiff, United Kingdom1,944 contributionsSpiritual walkThis was somewhat different to what I was expecting. You are walking along thronging narrow streets packed with tourists and locals making a lot of noise. The Stations of the Cross are marked but easily missed so this trip is best done with a guide. There are also a number of shrines and small chapels on the way. Some are interesting but many are missable.Visited November 2022Written 17 December 2022
- Brenda SAuckland Central, New Zealand42 contributionsHow to get the Via Dolorosa to yourself.All day every day the via Dolorosa is packed with tourist, traders and people going in all directions. If you wish to meditate along the path follow the plaques that appear along the walls at various places and go early in the morning 6-7am or in the evening with a few friends after six. But be aware if you plan to cut through the Muslim Quarter they have curfews and you will be turned away after about 4ish?Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 April 2023
- NoraatcSudbury, Massachusetts34,877 contributionsThe Kotel Tunnels tour ends at Via DolorosaWe were on Vis Dolorosa by accident, didn’t plan on it. The exit from the Kotel underground tour is located on Via Dolorosa and that how we ended up being there. We walked on Via Dolorosa up to the Muslim Quarter market, took photos of very atmospheric passageways, visited a couple of churches, walked by the Church of Holy Sepulchre, and returned to the Jaffa Gate. Undoubtedly, Via Dolorosa is a sacred site for Christians, but for us it wasn’t an important attraction.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 10 April 2023
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,848 contributionsFollowing Jesus and his Way of SufferingThe Via Dolorosa means the Way of Suffering. The Via Dolorosa follows the way of Jesus to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, around 600 meters (2000 feet). There are 14 Stations of the Cross, which trace's Jesus Way of Suffering. which can be followed quite easily. The Stations of the Cross are a place of veneration for Christians, in particular Roman Catholics.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 28 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,848 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Via Dolorosa means the Way of Suffering. The Via Dolorosa follows the way of Jesus to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, around 600 meters (2000 feet). There are 14 Stations of the Cross, which trace's Jesus Way of Suffering. which can be followed quite easily. The Stations of the Cross are a place of veneration for Christians, in particular Roman Catholics.
Written 28 October 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.
Mumsgurl
Calgary, Canada21 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
One of the best experiences I’ve had. Highly recommend it. Thoroughly enjoyed my time in Israel and Jordan.
Written 6 May 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.
WVTravelGirl
Newberry, FL183 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
It was hard to feel the significance of the place with all of the shopping that was happening left, right, and center. Pair that with trying not to get run over by the occasional little vehicle coming through.
Written 29 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.
Noraatc
Sudbury, MA34,877 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We were on Vis Dolorosa by accident, didn’t plan on it. The exit from the Kotel underground tour is located on Via Dolorosa and that how we ended up being there. We walked on Via Dolorosa up to the Muslim Quarter market, took photos of very atmospheric passageways, visited a couple of churches, walked by the Church of Holy Sepulchre, and returned to the Jaffa Gate. Undoubtedly, Via Dolorosa is a sacred site for Christians, but for us it wasn’t an important attraction.
Written 10 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.
arvind1000
Pune, India2,262 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The Via Dolorosa (Sorrowful Way) is processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem. It represents the path that Jesus would have taken, forced by the Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion.
Written 7 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
All day every day the via Dolorosa is packed with tourist, traders and people going in all directions. If you wish to meditate along the path follow the plaques that appear along the walls at various places and go early in the morning 6-7am or in the evening with a few friends after six. But be aware if you plan to cut through the Muslim Quarter they have curfews and you will be turned away after about 4ish?
Written 4 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.
SmartTraveler
Muar, Malaysia658 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Via Dolorosa is the processional route that Jesus suffered. He wore a crown of thorns, was whipped, was humiliated, and carried a heavy cross to Calvary.
The route started from the House of Pontius Pilate. There are 14 stations marked with Roman numerals. Each has a sorrowful story to tell.
We walked Via Dolorosa. At station 4, Mary wept for the suffering of her son. Simon of Cyrene helped to lift the heavy cross at station 5. Jesus' handprint on a wall was marked in station 9. He had to support himself after the third fall. The next 5 stations are located indoors.
Via Dolorosa unveiled epic human evil and cruelty to Divine Passion and Humility. It is spiritually touching amid a busy bazaar selling cheap tourist souvenirs. We continue walking to the Church of Holy Sculpture.
The route started from the House of Pontius Pilate. There are 14 stations marked with Roman numerals. Each has a sorrowful story to tell.
We walked Via Dolorosa. At station 4, Mary wept for the suffering of her son. Simon of Cyrene helped to lift the heavy cross at station 5. Jesus' handprint on a wall was marked in station 9. He had to support himself after the third fall. The next 5 stations are located indoors.
Via Dolorosa unveiled epic human evil and cruelty to Divine Passion and Humility. It is spiritually touching amid a busy bazaar selling cheap tourist souvenirs. We continue walking to the Church of Holy Sculpture.
Written 14 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.
JrnyJunkie
Cleveland, OH949 contributions
Feb 2023
Narrow passageways, stone steps and alleyways are interesting to see, unfortunately the crowds of devotees make it difficult to even think about the history.
Written 10 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.
StotheN
Stockholm, Sweden547 contributions
Feb 2023
So historic. I am not even a Christian or Muslim or Jewish but went through with this tour regardless. It is so eye opening. There are clear markings of the different stations of the journey. Well recommended.
Written 5 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.
Brun066
Florence, Italy12,262 contributions
Aug 2022
Together with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is the culmination of this itinerary, the path believed to have been walked by Jesus in the hours of his sacrifice, is the element for which the city of Jerusalem is most sacred for Christians . The theological value of this path is very high, alluding to a qualifying element of Christianity, which is the belief that Jesus, divine being, became man and knowingly faced death to redeem humanity.
This path is repeated in countless places in the Christian world, both within churches and in the open air (among the latter I recall the paths in north-western Italy, and in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil).
In my opinion, even those who are not believers, but have lived in a Christian cultural way, will be impressed by the experience of this journey in Jerusalem.
The journey takes place almost entirely in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem, and we had a Jewish theologian as our guide for the path, extremely knowledgeable and with a captivating speech. What better proof of the syncretism of this city?
The path generally starts from the courtyard of the Arab college of Al-Omariyeh (stage 1), then passes to the Franciscan convent of the Flagellation (stage 2), to the entrance of the Armenian Patriarchate (stage 3), to the church of Our Lady of the Pain (stage 4), at the door (generally closed) of a building where Simon of Cyrene helped Christ carry the cross (stage 5).
Other doors that are generally closed are the one at stage 6 (where Veronica is said to have wiped Jesus' face) and the one at stage 7 (where Jesus fell for the second time). After stage 7, the route leaves the supposed walls of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus (not the current ones). This, incidentally, explains why Golgotha could be not a hill, but a minimal prominence, today enclosed in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
The place marked as stage 8 follows, where Jesus met the weeping women, and the Coptic monastery of Deir as Sultan, at which a column marks stage 9 (Jesus falls the third time).
The next five stages are located in the premises of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, in a crescendo of solemnity.
I believe that this brief description has already rendered the hieratic atmosphere of the journey. Actually walking it, however, is another thing.
This path is repeated in countless places in the Christian world, both within churches and in the open air (among the latter I recall the paths in north-western Italy, and in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil).
In my opinion, even those who are not believers, but have lived in a Christian cultural way, will be impressed by the experience of this journey in Jerusalem.
The journey takes place almost entirely in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem, and we had a Jewish theologian as our guide for the path, extremely knowledgeable and with a captivating speech. What better proof of the syncretism of this city?
The path generally starts from the courtyard of the Arab college of Al-Omariyeh (stage 1), then passes to the Franciscan convent of the Flagellation (stage 2), to the entrance of the Armenian Patriarchate (stage 3), to the church of Our Lady of the Pain (stage 4), at the door (generally closed) of a building where Simon of Cyrene helped Christ carry the cross (stage 5).
Other doors that are generally closed are the one at stage 6 (where Veronica is said to have wiped Jesus' face) and the one at stage 7 (where Jesus fell for the second time). After stage 7, the route leaves the supposed walls of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus (not the current ones). This, incidentally, explains why Golgotha could be not a hill, but a minimal prominence, today enclosed in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre.
The place marked as stage 8 follows, where Jesus met the weeping women, and the Coptic monastery of Deir as Sultan, at which a column marks stage 9 (Jesus falls the third time).
The next five stages are located in the premises of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, in a crescendo of solemnity.
I believe that this brief description has already rendered the hieratic atmosphere of the journey. Actually walking it, however, is another thing.
Written 20 December 2022
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.
NO2VA
London, UK141 contributions
Hi, did you go with an organized tour? I want to go next year but don’t want to do the walk by myself, I’d love to have a priest as well.
lisavalbracht
Woodstock, GA21 contributions
Yes we went with a group organized by Educational Opportunities out of Lakeland Florida. There are many similar organizations internationally and I’m sure you could find one that would suit your preferences.
It’s the trip you’ll never forget!
Odyssey622222
Pacific Paradise, Australia6 contributions
When is the best time of year to visit Jerusalem?
Dykdoktorn
Stockholm, Sweden14 contributions
Hi, as you write! I don´t know better than you. I would also go back when it is not to warm nor to could in the winter. More exact I can not be. Stefan
Strawberries007
London, UK545 contributions
Is it best to do the walk at 3/4pm on Friday when the main walk is or it's the same as joining any group at another time do it?
nsalinas2017
San Antonio, TX18 contributions
You walk in your own experience with God anytime. He knows why you are doing this and pray ,cry, meditate and feel his presence there when you are walking and feel the cross too as he carried it for us.
I felt Jesus carrying the cross for our mistakes and sins. I felt he took all that from me and set me free. I will start a new life this coming year. He for sure answered my prayers too.I am a complete changed person for this experience has brought this out in me.
Everyone needs to experience this once in there lifetime.
Robert J
Pittsburgh, PA24 contributions
I am going to Jerusalem in two weeks and would like to experience the Stations of the Cross with a local church there, any suggestions on how to go about this? Robert
GrainneNiMhaille
Dublin, Ireland93 contributions
hello. It is a definately must do and see and feel whilst in Jerusalem. can be achieved on you or get a guide. just be careful as a lot of guides will try and get a lot of euro dollars or sterling outta you and tend to take little breaks in their family shops where they sell souvenirs etc..... but enjoy the experience
Heidi-Dana
Santa Monica, CA46 contributions
Hi -
My husband and I are attending the Holy Week activities in Jerusalem this year, and concerned about entrance on Good Friday to participate in the processional as we are not part of a church or mission group. Can someone please advise with regard to access, is it difficult, best time to be at the Via Crucis and where to begin the processional? Also, does one need a ticket to attend Easter Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
Any and all details suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Alan H
Chicago, Illinois132 contributions
You will be richly blessed by this pilgrimage. But know that the crowds will be enormous and that you will need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves the whole time you are in Jerusalem. Though you are not going with a church group, I strongly advise that you link up with some group once you are there rather than going on your own. You will learn more and feel safer. To walk the Via Dolorosa/Via Crucis, you will want to enter the Via Dolorosa from Beit HaBad Street, NOT from the east. Walk west up to the Church of the Condemnation and Flagellation to begin your journey, but do not continue any further east. Then reverse directions downhill to the west; looking for signs along the way. You should get a printed guide before you go. If you have not found a group with which to walk, there will be groups everywhere once you get there, all doing the same thing. Stay with a group and be sure to dress modestly. You will pass through crowded alleys filled with aggressive vendors. As for worshiping at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, if your intention is to be there for Easter Sunday morning you should be there VERY early for the first mass of the day (6am or 6:30am) and know that even then you almost certainly will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other worshipers and you may have to wait several hours to get in. This is true just about every Sunday of the year, but Easter will be the most challenging of all. No ticket is required. One more word of strong encouragement: do not just go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre without also visiting the Garden Tomb next to the bus station. You will bless me for this suggestion. I hope that your pilgrimage will include time in Galilee, as you will be moved to tears again and again. Feel free to ask more questions.
talotan@gmail.com
Tel Aviv, Israel7 contributions
Planning a Jerusalem jurney, looking for historical reading materials . What is the book mentioned in the review ( The novel, Sister of Zion ) ?
Ana L
Navan, Ireland2,701 contributions
I am sorry. I can not help you with that. Although I wnrt to Jerusalem, I´m Atheist. Details of any religion... that´s asking too much :)
Betty C
Buenos Aires, Argentina11 contributions
Voy a llevar a una persona mayor,por lo que me gustaría saber cuánto mide aproximadamente el recorrido de la Via Dolorosa...gracias
No llega a un kilómetro el recorrido, lo que ocurre es que si lo coges desde el comienzo, para seguir el recorrido que hizo Jesucristo, todo es en subida. Te recomiendo tranquilidad y una buenas botella de agua. Eso sí, lo disfrutareis. Feliz viaje
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Claim your listingTHE WAY OF THE CROSS - VIA DOLOROSA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
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