Church of All Nations, Jerusalem (must see)

The Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony, holds a significant place in Christian tradition, believed to mark the site where Jesus prayed before his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The original 4th-century church at this site was devastated by an earthquake in 747. Subsequently, the Crusaders erected a new structure, strategically aligned to encompass three rocky outcrops, symbolizing Christ's three prayers during that fateful night. Consecrated in 1170, it gradually fell into disrepair after 1345.

In the early 20th century, excavations led to the church's modern iteration, designed by Antonio Barluzzi and completed in 1924 through contributions from 12 nations, hence its name and the 12 golden cupola ceilings bearing national coats of arms. At the heart of the nave lies the Byzantine-era rock, encircled by a wrought-iron crown of thorns. The apse mosaic vividly portrays Christ's Agony, while adjacent scenes depict his arrest and Judas's betrayal. Traces of the Byzantine church's layout are etched in black marble on the floor, with remnants of its mosaic pavement still visible.

Outside, the striking gilded mosaic adorning the pediment also portrays the Agony, while an open-air altar nestled within the gardens serves as a place of worship for various Christian denominations, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical, Anglican, and other culturally distinct branches of Christianity.