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Jerusalem is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians, just as it is for Jews and Muslims.

Christianity teaches that Jesus visited Jerusalem at Passover time and spent the week leading up to his death there. Christian pilgrims visit Jerusalem, therefore, to remember key events in Jesus' final week, known as Holy Week. Places that Christian pilgrims might visit include:

• The Garden of Gethsemane - this is believed to be where Jesus prayed before he was arrested by the Romans and put to death. Christians visit here for contemplation and prayer.
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre - this church is said to be built on the site where Jesus was crucified, as well as his place of burial. Others believe the Garden Tomb, situated just outside Jerusalem's city walls, is the place which marks the site of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Via Dolorosa – this is a special route that Christian pilgrims walk from the outskirts of Jerusalem to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, especially on Good Friday. It is believed to be the very path that Jesus took carrying his cross on the way to his crucifixion.
• Church of the Ascension - this is said to mark the site of the Ascension, when Jesus rose into Heaven forty days after his resurrection. There is a stone inside the Church, believed to be imprinted with his footstep.

Nature and importance

The belief that Jesus died and was raised from the dead is a very important belief for Christians. Christianity teaches that this sacrifice enables all Christians to have a relationship with God. This belief is called the Atonement.

Many Christians believe that:

• undertaking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem can bring them closer to the experience of Jesus as he approached his death
• this will help them to develop spiritually and become closer to God