Dominus Flevit

Dominus Flevit Review

Designed by Antonio Barluzzi in the 1950s, the tear-shaped church—its name means "the Lord wept"—preserves the New Testament story of Jesus' sorrowful prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19). The remarkable feature of its simple interior is a picture window facing west, the iron cross on the altar silhouetted against a superb view of the Old City. Many small archaeological items were found here, but the tradition that holds this as the site of the Gospel story is no older than the Crusader period. The courtyard is a good place to enjoy the view in peace between waves of pilgrim groups. (Equally worthy of mention are the restrooms, rare in this area.) The church is about one-third of the way down the steep road that descends to Gethsemane from the Mt. of Olives observation point. Beware of pickpockets on the street outside.