Located east of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Mount of Olives is a prominent site in the Jerusalem vicinity mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The Mount of Olives separates the Holy City from the Judean Desert which begins it’s descent to the Dead Sea. Having been associated with both Jesus and Mary in The Bible, the Mount has been a site of Christian worship since ancient times.

The ridge, also called Mount Olivet, takes it’s name from the fact that it was once covered with olive trees. The Mount has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3000 years and holds approximately 150000 graves. Believed to be the place from which God will begin to redeem the dead when the Messiah comes, Jews have always sought to be buried here. The Mount consists of three areas of high ground from which steep roads descend to the valley below.