Dormition Abbey
Dormition Abbey
4.5
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Located on Mount Zion, this massive church resembles a mighty fortress with a high, domed belltower and conical dome.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
93
Average
26
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,819 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Abbey of the Dormition is a Benedictine church that commemorates the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven after her death. "Assumption" is similar to "Dormition." The Abbey of the Dormition is impressive, it is near Mount Zion, the West Gate of the Old City.
Written 2 November 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.
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK1,939 contributions
Nov 2022
There is far too much to take in on a single visit to Jerusalem. Dormition Abbey is on Mount Zion where there are many other religious and historic sites. The abbey is said to be the place where The Virgin Mary spent her last days. You will have to make your own mind up about that. It is however spectacular and beautiful so when in the area worth a look.
Written 16 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.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,824 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
As with many of the larger structures of the Old City, this architectural masterpiece, enhanced with beautiful mosaics, was built on the ruins of other structures, which in this case was a Byzantine church said to be the place where the Mother of Jesus, Mary, breathed her last.
Written 11 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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,819 contributions
Oct 2022
The Dormition Abbey is a notable feature of Mount Zion. Many people, especially Catholics, believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary spent some time here before ascending into Heaven. Please be aware that for many pilgrims this is a sacred site and jostling to take photographs is not appropriate. An atmosphere of serenity and peace is encouraged.
Written 12 November 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.
Christy Menendez
Gypsum, CO160 contributions
Sep 2019
where the virgin mary was buried they believe. its beautiful, big, open, calming. a sense of serenity somehow. very much worth seeing. i actually visited March 2018.
Written 12 August 2020
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.
FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,240 contributions
Jan 2020
A church celebrating a spiritual event, the ascension of Mary. We were here on a pilgrimage, but my focus is information regarding photographing here. The interior is quite dark, the area small, and it can be crowded. Travel light, a DSLR or pocket camera will suffice. Expect to alter the white balance for lighting and have high ISOs inside. A holy site, avoid disturbing folks and turn off flash.
Written 2 June 2020
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.
ECLadines
Paranaque, Philippines2,801 contributions
Apr 2020
This deserved to be the mother of all churches here in Mt. Zion reserved for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition holds this was the very spot where Mary ended her worldly existence. This is also the best place where you can offer your prayers to Mama Mary as the Intercessor to her son, Jesus.
Written 24 April 2020
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.
Vitor A
Lisbon, Portugal810 contributions
Jan 2020
To visit the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion you should go out of the Fortification Wall, taking Zion Gate. Being outside the Wall is about five minutes’ walk. The Abbey is quite a good work of art and the meaning of the place is important for the ones who believe that, up there, Mary’s Assumption took place. Enjoy!
Written 30 March 2020
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Brian M
Montrose, UK1,554 contributions
Mar 2020
This is well worth visiting if you go to the area where King David is said to be buried and where the last supper was supposed to have taken place.
Written 9 March 2020
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.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,665 contributions
Jan 2020
The massive Benedictine Church of the Dormition with its conical roof and four round corner sandstone towners has been a Jerusalem landmark since construction was completed in 1910. The current church, which looks like a small castle, was built on the ruins of a Crusader church, which had been built on the ruins of a Byzantine church. The church is traditionally believed to be the site where the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, died or ‘fell asleep’ (dormition comes from the Latin word dormire meaning to sleep). The church is built on two levels, the upper having the high altar with semicircular apse surrounded by six colorful side chapels. Pretty – but it is the lower-level crypt with Marian shrine that will take your breath away! A life-size statue of Mary, made of cherry wood and ivory, rests on a simple bier in the center rotunda. Jesus, along with six great Biblical women, look down at the sleeping Mary from above. The room is softly lit and has a hushed, serene atmosphere. What a touching representation of the Virgin Mary departing from this earthly existence!
Written 6 March 2020
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.
Massimo Valentino
Gorgonzola, Italy1 contribution
Hi, how much time do you suggest to plan for a visit of the Abbey?
Flavia66
Palermo, Italy3,132 contributions
No more of one hour.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dormition Abbey
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