Via Dolorosa

Via Dolorosa (or “The Way of The Cross”) is the route Jesus trod on his way from Gethsemane to Golgotha, on the Holy Thursday.

While walking through Jerusalem’s Old City streets you will notice metal plaques on the walls, indicating the Stations, together with some descriptive statues highlighting the event itself.

There are 14 different stations on the way, each of them carrying a different story. While the first 9th are among the city streets, the last 5th are located inside the The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Let’s walk the Via Dolorosa together. For the real walk allocate around 2-3 hours to visit each point in depth. Expect long queues inside the Church and for the Holy Tomb.

1st Station

Starting with the 1st station, this place indicates where Jesus has been condemned by Pontius Pilate. As you leave Lions Gate behind, it is on your left, inside the Islamic school.

2nd Station

Across the street is the 2nd station, inside the Franciscan Church of the Condemnation. Here is where Jesus received his cross.

Stop by the Chapel of the Flagellation inside the same courtyard. Take a few minutes to pray and admire the ceiling with its crown of thorns.

3rd Station

This station is marked by a small chapel and it’s located near the Armenian Hospice. As illustrated above, in this place Jesus fell down for the first time.

4th Station

Similar to the preview station, the 4th stop is inside a small chapel too. Here, Jesus faced his mother in the crowd for the first time.

5th Station

The station is marked by the outside wall only. In this place the Romans told Simon to help Jesus carry the cross.

6th Station

Marked on the wall, here Veronica wiped Jesus face.

7th Station

The station is located in a small chapel. Here, Jesus fell down for the second time.

8th Station

In this point, Jesus told some women to not cry for him, but for themselves and their children.

9th Station

This is the last station before entering the church. Here, Jesus fell down for the third time.

10th Station

While entering the church you will notice in front of you the Stone of Unction. Here, Jesus’s body have been anointed before the burial. Take your time to pray.

Inside the Chapel of Calvary, located upstairs on the right, are the next three stations. A chapel is build on the place Jesus have been stripped of his clothes, station number 10.

11th Station

The 11th station is where Jesus have been nailed to the cross.

12th Station

Here is where the Crucifixion of Jesus took place. An altar has been built around the stone considered to be the Rock of Calvary. Stay in line to touch the stone and make your prayers.

13th Station

The last station before the Holy Tomb is also located in this chapel. In this place, Jesus body is taken down the cross and handed to Virgin Marry.

14th Station

Last but not least, we arrive to the Tomb of the Holy Sepulchre.

You will stay in a long line before entering and pray inside. You will be quickly pushed out, so expect to not have more than 10-15 seconds for yourself.

Chapel of St Helena

Inside the Church are a few more Chapels to be visited.

If you want to see where the three crosses were discovered, make a stop at the Chapel of St Helena.

While walking around the church you will be able to see a remaining part of the Golgotha Mount.

Prison of Christ

Do not miss a stop to the Prison of Christ. Even if is not part of the Via Dolorosa, this place is highly filled with emotional charge. A visit is worth in more than a thousands words.

Do you want to know more about Israel and the Holy Land? Then continue your journey here.