Dominus Flevit

The western slope of the Mount of Olives above the Garden of Gethsemane, c. 1890–1900.Photochrom, Library of Congress · no known restrictions on publication

In the Bible

As Jesus came down the Mount of Olives, the crowd of disciples praised God aloud. Seeing the city, He wept over it and spoke of the days when enemies would surround it.

Luke 19:37–44And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.” As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Tradition

By a tradition going back to the Middle Ages, Jesus wept over Jerusalem on this slope, on the path pilgrims take down from the summit.

Here today

A small church shaped like a teardrop, built in 1956 over a Byzantine chapel; its west window looks straight at the Old City.

Before you travel, check your country’s travel advice. Opening hours and the rules of the sites change — see their official pages.

Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).