Prepare for an experience that will shock you into silence and fill a deep, spiritual void with clarity, warmth and conviction. Because high on a rise with a breathtaking view of the Ayalon Valley is the Latrun Monastery, also known as the Monastery of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, or the Monastery of Silence, where actions speak louder than words, and silent prayer is the highest form of devotion.

Holy outside of the Holy City

Just a short drive from the Holy City of Jerusalem, you’ll find Latrun, home to an ancient fortress built by the Crusaders in the early 12th century, Yad Lashiryon – Israel’s official memorial site for fallen soldiers from the armored corps and tank museum and the Latrun Monastery. You could while away the hours visiting these spectacular sites, each offering a strikingly different perspective of life in the Holy Land at various points throughout history. But if you are looking to step away from the hustle and bustle of tourist traps and enjoy a serenely spiritual site, we invite you to experience the Latrun Monastery.

Turning the “Grapes of Wrath” into a symbol of the Holy Spirit

Enter the Latrun Monastery via its charming walk-ways and find yourself surrounded by cascading vineyards and mesmerizing olive groves, before entering the structure, artfully designed in Byzantine and Gothic styles. While the Trappist monks living and serving at the Monastery adhere to a near-complete vow of silence, they do keep themselves busy on a daily basis – in prayer and in cultivating and selling grape juice, wine, olives and olive oil, God’s holy libations. Just watching them at work and in worship is enough to send your spiritual selves soaring.

Visit the monastery on Saturdays to fully enjoy the site and its local market. Note that the monastery is open in the winter months from 8:30 to 11:00 and then again from 14:30 to 16:00. During the summer, opening hours are between 8:30 and 12:00 and then again from 15:30 to 17:00. The monastery is closed to the public on Sundays.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a place to quiet the noise of daily life and experience true, spirituality and introspection, the Latrun Monastery is the place to visit. Head on over there before or after your trip to Jerusalem – or dedicate a day to visiting the area’s radically diverse sites. While you cannot officially join the order (there’s a six-year novitiate prior to being accepted), you can most surely enjoy a little taste of the silent life – and the succulent treats and libations on offer on Market Day.

Can’t wait to visit Israel?
Contact us or ask your travel agent about the Gordon Tours Israel experience!