Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Reviews

An absolutely lovely place to visit. Take a tour of the crypts and beautiful Cathedral. Walk the Gardens and take in all the symbolism. Don't miss the Hail Mary prayers etched in all languages outside. The tiled artwork is amaxing. There is a tiny gift shop, and no vending machines or snack bar, so bring snacks and hydration and ask where you can eat on thess sacred grounds. A great day to also visit The National Basilica within walking distance!

Beautiful replicas of the holy land I was blessed to have seen this past April. Gorgeous Monastery.

A very peaceful place. I feel closer to God just being here.

I took my camp kids there today they really enjoyed their self let of social distance lot of shade.

Cannot imagine a more peaceful place to go in DC these days and just be contemplative. I'm so grateful that their gardens are open!

A peaceful little getaway from the city, in the city, a walk through the gardens will reset your mind.

Probably the best, coolest, most beautiful hidden gem in DC. Dont have to be religious to see the amazing catacombs and appreciate the stunning architecture.

As a regular visitor and attendee I appreciate the serenity and tranquility, ambience and surroundings which lend themselves to optimal reflection. The gardens throughout the year are well maintained and very enjoyable. Visit once and you'll be sure to return.

Beautiful gardens, serene, quiet and one of the top places to visit while in Washington DC.

Is nice place. I love love loveee. And if you want to have a unique experience come to dartecue and how beautiful the place is. The peace that radiates your tranquility and the harmony between nature and Jerusalem replica of Holy land in a small place

It takes more than a quick walk-through to appreciate the scale of the Monastery interior, and even then, I was unable to view the Crypt area. The upper Church has so much beautiful artwork in each of the four main alcoves, and the Tabernacle is in a tomb-like setting that requires one to kneel in order to gain entrance, and thus helps remind one to be duly reverent. My one regret from my visit (apart from not seeing the crypt) was that the dome above the altar appeared to be under construction, so I have yet to see it in its fullness. That being said, all the more reason to return next time I'm in DC.

Serene atmosphere. Friendly staff & Brothers. Great for meditation & prayers.

One of ther most beautiful places I've ever visited.

Tour guide covered the early history of the Franciscan order. The tour covered the alters and chapels of the monastary church. It also led through the "catacombs" under the church and a history of the catacombs in Rome.

Guided tours and totally worth a visit if you're in the area

A little hidden gem. The Monastery is a little unique tucked away gem in the Nation's Capital. In the area of the National Basilica, well worth a visit for Catholics and non-Catholics alike; anyone who appreciates unique architecture, gardens, and solemn places in general. The guided tour is worth taken, if only because you can't view the basement spaces without a guide. The church is beautiful inside, easy to spend at least an hour just admiring all the art work and details. The Gardens are very peaceful to walk through. Highly recommended.

Amazing place O visit the grounds with my kids have been inside. It s beautiful very well kept just amazing

This place is BEAUTIFUL!!!! A visit that you MUST DO !!!! WOW everything in this church was incredible. We loved it very much !!! The tour of the church was very informative and so cool !!! You are also able to take pictures during the tour. They have a small store and restrooms. This church is a perfect place to pray, inside or out, you choose !!! No excuses !!!

A wonderful look into the religious sites in the Holy Land

Quiet place for a relaxing stroll, reading or meditating. This place is small but very pretty with small doses of religious artifacts throughout. There are lots of benches. The koi pond is popular with the kids. There is free parking lot right across the street.

My gay husband and I have always felt welcome here. I personally think that many of the monks are (non-practicing) gays themselves. The gardens are fabulous, the gift shop has fun religious kitsch, and the acoustics in the church make for an interesting musical experience. It is a real spiritual oasis in the city.

Very beautiful and solemn during holy week we did our station of the cross you dont have to go to holy land it's a replica of itself ..nice place to visit.

Its a beautiful place to visit, many things to see like the replicas of Jesus's tumb, The Grotto of Lourdes, the life like painting of Mt. Calvary

Always a great visit, especially the shaded gardens on a hot day.

I can't believe I had no idea this was just up the way in Brookland. A very short walk from Brookland-CUA metro, the public grounds are gorgeous with so many varieties of roses, and the walkable garden paths are a nice peaceful escape from DC without leaving DC. With replicas of the Ascension Chapel, the Grotto of Lourdes and the Tomb of the Virgin Mary all along the well-manicured garden paths, it's great sightseeing, whether you're religious or not. (And if you are not, you will not be bothered by anyone, save perhaps a polite greeting.) I plan to return around next Easter to see their tulips, and their massive herb gardens were also a treat.

Very quiet and spiritual place. Very well done representation of the Holy Land sites.

It was OK. We took a special trip out here, not sure it was really worth it unless you're driving or really like simple monasteries. I like the basilica much more.

It is an important place for us and to know more about Jesus.

A place full of peace, tranquility, a great beautiful place to live together as a family and above all to motivate our faith, to know how the tomb of our Lord Jesus replicates that was something very nice motivator. It is a huge very beautiful garden full of beautiful flowers. I still need to get to know it inside, for now it is closed but the garden is wonderful and the best is free of charge.

Beautiful place to visit ! So many little areas to explore!

A nice place where you feel a peace and the children feel happy

Great design, well groomed, good informational tours, beautiful grottos, tomb of virgin Mary was a sight to behold

Great place to visit without having to go to the Holy Land. It has many replicas of important sites in the Holy Land and catacombs. The tour was great and mass was beautiful.

Phenomenal time spent with a Christian brotherhood !

Peaceful Holy Place to find rest and be in a special way with Our Lord. Please go there. . .

A beautiful church with replicas of different shrines throughout the Holy Land, and of Rome. The Franciscan Brothers running it are very friendly and give excellent tours. I would highly recommend the tour so that you are able to view all the crypt shrines as well as the catacomb recreation and the relics.

Absolutely beautiful church & monastery...highly recommend the tour of the church...free & well worth it!!

Well as a kid I imagined heaven would look like this ..lol

I love this place! I enjoy the experience every time I go! Special for the whole family!

Amazing place, full of history and great architecture

Peace and holy place ... any one who give less tgan five is pur sick :)

Amazing place, its silence and tranquility does not compare to anything

What a gem, hidden in our nation's capitol! This monastery is a celebration of the spirit of Christian pilgrimage to the holy land. It replicates the interior proportions of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to be exact, like a number of other churches around the world. But I was very pleased at the beautiful, baroque statuary and other sanctuary appointments, which creates a unique atmosphere for prayer and contemplation. Don't miss it. Daily Mass is here, as well.

The experience was very interesting and it was clear how passionate the guide was. This is so much more than an underground burial site, with families remains stacked in niches.

Gardens were spectacular.Great serene place in the middle of s dense urban community.Wonderful place to visit,especially in spring.

Majestic gardens and paths that are impeccably kept up. awesome annual plant sale in April.

It has a lot of visuals both inside and out. The inside tour was quite impressive to me especially when in the catacombs.

This is a place we like to visit, go to mass, pray and experience inner peace. During the Advent season and thru Christmas there is a beautiful exhibit of creches from all over the world.

Absolutely beautiful exactly how i remembered it as a child. Lived right down the street growing up. Was my play ground...love love love. This place.

Great place for a visit. Nice garden to walk around and take some photos.

Quiet garden & sanctuary good for meditation. Off street parking. Tours to visit catacombs.

Not only one of the most peaceful places in D.C., it has one of the most amazing rose gardens I've ever seen with hundred of very well maintained bushes of every type, color and variety imaginable. Also all the various translations of Ave Maria were quite interesting to read. Roses were definitely at peak bloom in late May, but I am sure they will bloom throughout the summer.