Church of the Visitation, Catholic church building in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Visitation sits on a rocky hillside in Ein Karem, divided into two levels connected by narrow staircases with walls decorated with verses from the Magnificat. The building provides spaces for prayer and quiet reflection at this site.
Excavations in the 1930s uncovered remains of Byzantine and Crusader structures at this location. The current building was completed in the mid-20th century and stands above these historical layers.
The church draws pilgrims who gather at the traditional place where Mary recited the Magnificat upon visiting Elizabeth. Today, Christians from around the world come to pray and reflect in this space with deep personal meaning.
The site is open only during specific hours that vary by season, so visitors should check ahead before planning their visit. The change in schedules between warmer and cooler months affects when you can access the building.
Ceramic plaques displaying the Magnificat prayer in more than fifty different languages cover the garden walls. This multilingual collection reflects the diversity of Christian communities from across the world who visit this place.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.