Conrad Schick Street, not far from Damascus Gate, Jerusalem
Tel. (02) 627 2745
Bus: 1, 3
Open: 2- 5:30pm Mon- Thu
The Garden Tomb, also known as Gordon's Calvary or Gordon's Tomb, is an ancient rock-cut tomb complex in Jerusalem that serves as a significant site of Christian pilgrimage and worship. It is particularly revered by Evangelical and Protestant Christians as a possible location for the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering a serene alternative to the more traditional and bustling Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The site includes a surrounding garden and is adjacent to a rocky escarpment interpreted by some as Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull" where Jesus was crucified. While not universally accepted as the authentic biblical site, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for reflection, prayer, and communion services. The Garden Tomb Association emphasizes its role as a place to encounter the message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, rather than making definitive historical claims.
The Garden Tomb is situated in East Jerusalem, just outside the Old City walls, approximately 600 meters north of the Damascus Gate along Nablus Road (also known as Derech Shchem). Its precise coordinates are 31°47′1.87″N 35°13′47.92″E. The site is nestled in a tranquil garden area adjacent to a busy urban environment, with the rocky escarpment of Skull Hill (Tallat al-Jumjumah in Arabic or Giv'át ha-Gulgólet in Hebrew) nearby. This location aligns with biblical descriptions of the crucifixion site being outside the city walls but near a main gate, where executions might have occurred. The surrounding area includes modern elements like a bus station, but the garden provides a peaceful contrast, evoking the scriptural mention of a garden at the site of Jesus' tomb (John 19:41).
The tomb itself dates back to the Iron Age II period, around the 8th–7th centuries BCE, as determined by archaeologist Gabriel Barkay, though some scholars like Riccardo Lufrani propose a Hellenistic origin (4th–2nd centuries BCE). It was part of a First Temple period necropolis and may have been reused in later eras, including Byzantine times. The site's association with Jesus emerged in the 19th century amid Protestant skepticism toward the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Early proposals identifying Skull Hill as Golgotha began with Otto Thenius in 1842, followed by endorsements from Fisher Howe (1850), Henry Baker Tristram (1858), and Claude R. Conder (1872). Major-General Charles George Gordon popularized the idea during his 1883 visit to Jerusalem, drawing on typological interpretations from Leviticus 1:11 to argue that Christ's crucifixion occurred north of the altar. Gordon's sketches and advocacy led to the nickname "Gordon's Calvary." The Garden Tomb Association purchased the property in 1894 to preserve it as a site of worship. In the 20th century, it became a focal point for Evangelical pilgrims, with figures from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressing spiritual affirmation of the site. As of 2025, no major new historical developments have altered its status, though ongoing scholarly debates continue.
The tomb was unearthed in 1867 during Ottoman rule, amid growing interest in alternative biblical sites. Conrad Schick, a German architect and archaeologist, provided the first detailed report in 1874. Further explorations in 1924 uncovered an ancient wine press and a large cistern, likely from the Roman era, supporting the garden hypothesis. The most thorough study came from Gabriel Barkay in the late 20th century, who classified it as an Iron Age II multi-chambered sepulcher with triple benches. Excavations revealed Byzantine-era painted crosses inside the tomb, featuring Greek letters symbolizing Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, dating possibly to the 5th or 6th centuries CE, though the pigment faded upon exposure. In 2005, an Iron Age II cylinder seal was found nearby, likely debris from adjacent tombs. These findings highlight the site's ancient use but challenge its 1st-century CE authenticity.
Carved into bedrock, the Garden Tomb consists of two chambers: an outer vestibule and an inner burial chamber with heavily damaged stone benches along the walls, typical of ancient Jewish tombs. A distinctive groove runs along the ground outside the entrance, often interpreted as a track for a rolling stone to seal the tomb, matching gospel accounts (e.g., Matthew 27:60). However, Barkay identified this as a Crusader-era (11th century CE) water trough for animals, part of a stable complex, with the adjacent cistern featuring Crusader-style waterproofing. The site also includes an ancient wine press and a massive cistern (holding about 200,000 gallons), indicating it was once an agricultural garden, possibly owned by a wealthy individual like Joseph of Arimathea. The nearby Skull Hill escarpment, eroded over time, features natural formations resembling a skull's eye sockets and nose bridge, though its biblical resemblance is debated. The garden area surrounding the tomb is landscaped with paths, benches, and flora, providing spaces for quiet contemplation.
The Garden Tomb holds profound spiritual significance for many Christians, serving as a visual aid to the gospel narratives and a venue for worship, reflection, and evangelism. It symbolizes the hope of resurrection, with visitors often participating in communion or prayer services. The site is especially popular among Protestants, who appreciate its peaceful atmosphere compared to the ornate Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Garden Tomb Association, a non-denominational trust, promotes it as a place to encounter the "living Messiah," focusing on faith over archaeological proof. Some denominations, like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have historically favored it, with modern leaders describing spiritual impressions there. It underscores themes of biblical fulfillment, such as the tomb being in a garden near the crucifixion site.
Scholars largely question the Garden Tomb's authenticity as Jesus' burial site, citing its Iron Age origins and lack of 1st-century features, which contradict biblical descriptions of a "new tomb" (Matthew 27:57–60; John 19:41). Barkay's 1986 analysis emphasized its First Temple period typology, while others note the groove and cistern as medieval additions. Major denominations, including Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, adhere to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, supported by early traditions and evidence it was outside Herod's walls. Controversies stem from 19th-century Protestant biases against Catholic sites and theological interpretations versus archaeology. Recent excavations at the Holy Sepulchre, such as the 2025 discovery of ancient garden traces, have bolstered its claims, indirectly challenging the Garden Tomb. Despite this, proponents value its symbolic alignment with scripture.
The Garden Tomb is owned and managed by the Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association, a UK-based charitable trust established in 1894, comprising diverse denominational and national backgrounds. It is maintained by international volunteers and local Palestinian and Israeli staff, with entry free to all visitors. As of September 2025, the site remains open daily (except Sundays and certain holidays), offering guided tours in multiple languages, information leaflets, and spaces for group worship. No entry fees are charged, though donations support upkeep. The association continues to emphasize its ministry of sharing the resurrection story, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Jerusalem. Recent global events have not significantly impacted access, and it persists as a peaceful haven for pilgrims.