EN ▾EN ▾
Ein Karem is a green village in the hills near Jerusalem, honored as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.
Ein Karem is a beautiful village of stone houses and gardens set in the wooded hills just southwest of Jerusalem. Christian tradition honors it as the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the birthplace of John the Baptist.
Two churches crown the village. The Church of Saint John the Baptist marks the birthplace, and the Church of the Visitation remembers the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. Between them, Mary's Spring still flows, where tradition says Mary drew water.
Here Mary visited Elizabeth, who greeted her with the words the church has prayed ever since, and here Mary sang the Magnificat.
It is also where Mary sang her great song of praise. "My soul glorifies the Lord." (Luke 1:46)
Ein Karem is a gentle, joyful place, tied to birth and greeting and song rather than to suffering. Many pilgrims find it a welcome breath of peace within a full journey.
In the wooded hills just southwest of Jerusalem, a short drive from the city center.
The Church of Saint John the Baptist, the Church of the Visitation, and Mary's Spring in the valley between them.
Holy Sites
Tell us which sites you hope to see and we will shape a journey around them.
