Kidron Valley
Kidron Valley
4.5
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Separating the City of Jerusalem and Mount of Olives, this valley contains many ancient tombs such as those of Absalom, St. James, St. Zacharias and Jehoshaphat.
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4.5
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Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,786 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The Kidron Valley divides the Mount of Olives from the Old City of Jerusalem. The Kidron Valley is a buffer between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount. The walls of the Temple Mount define the boundaries of the Old City. The Temple Mount is technically in the Muslim Quarter. The historic Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery adjoins the KIdron Valley. You can get a marvelous view of the Old City at sunset across the Kidron Valley.
Written 14 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.
Brun066
Florence, Italy12,223 contributions
Aug 2022
During our visit to Jerusalem we visited the upper Kidron Valley twice, in the part bordering the city.
In truth, while today this name is given to the entire valley, up to the Dead Sea, it seems that in the past Kidron Valley was considered precisely only the one closest to the city
However, the first time we only overlooked the valley by walking along the east wall of the city. The second time we spent a good part of an afternoon on our route: we took the bus from the Lions' Gate and got off at the Mount of Olives (which closes the valley to the east) at the bus stop at the Chapel of the Ascension. From here we gradually descended towards the valley floor, visiting the accessible sights, finally from the valley floor we walked to the entrance of the "City of David".
After the walled city of Jerusalem, there is no other place so evocative in the nearby area. The Kidron Valley right in correspondence with the center itself (and even further upstream) is called by the Hebrew Bible "Valley of Josaphat", regarding which - apparently starting from the fourth century AD. C. - the tradition is formed that in it will take place, at the end of time, the return of the prophet Elijah, the arrival of the Messiah, the War of Gog and Magog and Judgment Day. Due to this tradition, a wide part of the valley is dotted today with tombs. However, the tombs are not only Jewish, since for centuries they have been juxtaposed (on the side of the valley closest to the city) with Muslim cemetery areas.
Descending, we visited in succession the little church called “Dominus flevit” (The Lord cried); the olive grove (now fenced off) which is traditionally identified with the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus' last prayer and Judas' betrayal took place; the adjacent so-called “Church of All Nations”, which since the 1920s stands on the believed place of Jesus' prayer, where from the 4th century AD. C. churches follow one another, then destroyed by earthquakes or other events. Afterwards, we thoroughly visited the church (run by Orthodox Christians) built on the supposed tomb of the Virgin Mary.
We were also aware that in the valley floor there was a bridge, now disappeared: from it it's said that the High Priest drove the "scapegoat" towards the wilderness, to make him take away the sins of the population, on the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
We didn't visit the so-called ancient Jewish tombs of Absalon, Benei Hazir and Zechariah. Nor was the Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene, which was closed.
But even so, we returned to the city overwhelmed by the memories present in this valley, or that are connected to it.
In truth, while today this name is given to the entire valley, up to the Dead Sea, it seems that in the past Kidron Valley was considered precisely only the one closest to the city
However, the first time we only overlooked the valley by walking along the east wall of the city. The second time we spent a good part of an afternoon on our route: we took the bus from the Lions' Gate and got off at the Mount of Olives (which closes the valley to the east) at the bus stop at the Chapel of the Ascension. From here we gradually descended towards the valley floor, visiting the accessible sights, finally from the valley floor we walked to the entrance of the "City of David".
After the walled city of Jerusalem, there is no other place so evocative in the nearby area. The Kidron Valley right in correspondence with the center itself (and even further upstream) is called by the Hebrew Bible "Valley of Josaphat", regarding which - apparently starting from the fourth century AD. C. - the tradition is formed that in it will take place, at the end of time, the return of the prophet Elijah, the arrival of the Messiah, the War of Gog and Magog and Judgment Day. Due to this tradition, a wide part of the valley is dotted today with tombs. However, the tombs are not only Jewish, since for centuries they have been juxtaposed (on the side of the valley closest to the city) with Muslim cemetery areas.
Descending, we visited in succession the little church called “Dominus flevit” (The Lord cried); the olive grove (now fenced off) which is traditionally identified with the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus' last prayer and Judas' betrayal took place; the adjacent so-called “Church of All Nations”, which since the 1920s stands on the believed place of Jesus' prayer, where from the 4th century AD. C. churches follow one another, then destroyed by earthquakes or other events. Afterwards, we thoroughly visited the church (run by Orthodox Christians) built on the supposed tomb of the Virgin Mary.
We were also aware that in the valley floor there was a bridge, now disappeared: from it it's said that the High Priest drove the "scapegoat" towards the wilderness, to make him take away the sins of the population, on the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
We didn't visit the so-called ancient Jewish tombs of Absalon, Benei Hazir and Zechariah. Nor was the Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene, which was closed.
But even so, we returned to the city overwhelmed by the memories present in this valley, or that are connected to it.
Written 26 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.
SnowyShasta
Portland, OR2,119 contributions
Oct 2022
We visited Israel on a tour and had a few chances to see the Kidron Valley, which separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives, and also leads down towards the Biblical town of Bethany. As part of our tour, we stopped at an overlook to see the Valley falling away from Jerusalem, and also looked at it from vantages at the Church of Saint Peter Gallicantu and from Gethsemane. It is historic but I didn't feel that there were must-see items there, other than the general sense of place.
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.
SOQ2010
Massachusetts2,085 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Walk through kidron valley is a must since left and right are thr most fascinating views .Most intriguing are the stone cut tombs , the jewish and muslim cemetery . Wall of the old city which is dividing the 2 cultures.
Written 9 October 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.
Tracy F
643 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This is a historic landmark and should be visited if your touring Israel. Just a short walk from the Garden of Gethsemane you can view the Kidron Valley. It's a must see place.
Written 26 February 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.
Nate C
Ellensburg, WA1,071 contributions
Oct 2019
Use a book or guide to get the whole story of its importance, Best viewing from the Mt. of Olives. Really cool.
Written 28 October 2019
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.
LookingForFamilyFun
Houston, TX1,739 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
you're going to see it if you're here...make sure you know what you're looking at & what all the mounts are and the Biblical significance, or get a really good guide! :-)
Written 25 January 2019
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.
jojo
Navi Mumbai, India1,751 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Witnessed several events related to Jesus the Church, having Black Dome reminisce of eye drops and divine alter very touching, being blessed.
Written 14 August 2017
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.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,127 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
One of the churches you can visit in Kidron Valley is the Greek Orthodox church of St. Stephen which is across the street from the Tomb of the Virgin and Garden of Gethsemane.
We found little information about this church online and it wasn't included in our travel book. The exterior is little of note but there is a nice single room which you can enter and view a decent Greek iconostasis, wall frescos of saints, inner dome fresco and nice chandelier.
If you are walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane and Mount of Olive sights from the Lion Gate of the Old City, this is worth a quick stop if you enjoy church visits. Give it 5-10 minutes before making way to your intended areas sightseeing.
We found little information about this church online and it wasn't included in our travel book. The exterior is little of note but there is a nice single room which you can enter and view a decent Greek iconostasis, wall frescos of saints, inner dome fresco and nice chandelier.
If you are walking towards the Garden of Gethsemane and Mount of Olive sights from the Lion Gate of the Old City, this is worth a quick stop if you enjoy church visits. Give it 5-10 minutes before making way to your intended areas sightseeing.
Written 12 August 2017
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.
Love2pioneer
Maple Ridge, Canada32 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
A deep valley that separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and runs first southeastward and then southward along the city.
It's was about a 15 min walk from the old city down into the valley up to the garden Gethsemane... it is a surreal feeling to realize you are walking where,
King David, when fleeing from rebellious Absalom, crossed the Kidron Valley on foot, up to the mount of Olives or the valley that Jesus traversed on his way to the garden of Gethsemane
It's was about a 15 min walk from the old city down into the valley up to the garden Gethsemane... it is a surreal feeling to realize you are walking where,
King David, when fleeing from rebellious Absalom, crossed the Kidron Valley on foot, up to the mount of Olives or the valley that Jesus traversed on his way to the garden of Gethsemane
Written 16 June 2017
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.
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Claim your listingKIDRON VALLEY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kidron Valley
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kidron Valley:
- Jerusalem Walking Tour: In the Footsteps of Jesus (From €84.06)
- Old and New Jerusalem Full-Day Tour (From €68.95)
- City of David and Underground Jerusalem Day Tour (From €84.06)
- Jerusalem Half Day Tour: Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall (From €47.22)
- Old Jerusalem Full-Day Tour (From €68.95)
- Hotels near Kidron Valley:
- (0.44 km) Ecce Homo Convent
- (0.61 km) Austrian Hospice
- (1.38 km) The American Colony Hotel
- (1.00 km) Christ Church Guest House
- (1.17 km) Notre Dame Guest House
- Restaurants near Kidron Valley:
- (0.24 km) Jack Cake
- (0.54 km) Bassem’s Gallery & Cafe
- (0.63 km) Austrian Hospice
- (0.58 km) Abu Shukri
- (1.08 km) Roots Restaurant