Chapel of the Ascension Jerusalem

Click here to visit attraction’s home page

Chapel of the Ascension: The building blends the architectural features of the Crusader style with some belonging to the Muslim tradition. The chapel itself was built on the site of a former ancient Christian sanctuary, near the top of Mt. Olives.

The original building was surrounded by a double portico forming a circle. The original site was destroyed by the Parthians in the year 614CE, it present existing chapel was rebuilt by the Crusaders in the form of an octagonal temple sometimes during the 12th C CE.

The chapel came under the control of Muslims, to from the 13th C CE till date. It was converted to a mosque and completely transformed by walling in the arches and roofing over the octagon with a little dome (michrab) of evident Islamic character.

On a rock inside can be seen a footprint which is identified according to Christian tradition as the print that Yeshua left as he ascended to Heaven: “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven” (Luke, 24, 50-51).