Chapel of the Ascension

The day starts with The Mount of Olives and the Holy Sites and churches there. The city bus got me most of the way to the top before the traffic jam caused by tour coaches made the road impassable and the bus driver turned around, so the rest of the way up was by foot.

The first stop was The Chapel of the Ascension. It is located on a site traditionally believed to be the earthly spot where Jesus ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection. It houses a slab of stone believed to contain one of his footprints. Another stone with the other footprint was moved to the al Aqsa mosque as Muslims also venerate Christ.

The little chapel was first built in the 4th century, modified in Crusader times, again in Byzantine times, and finally by the Muslims. The line to get in was long and dominated by tours.Read more