Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

We happened to visiting DC and found this in a search of things to do. I didn’t realized until we arrived that this beautiful place is a collection of reproduced sacred sites from the Holy Land and elsewhere. We arrived just in time for a tour that both took us around the church as well as into the tunnels beneath that contain the reproduced shrines. Some of the things you will see are the Roman catacombs, Chapels of St. Cecilia and St. Sebastian with stairs that “lead up to” where would have been a Roman Colosseum, replica shrine of Jesus’s birthplace & where His manger would have been and replica of His tomb. The church is amazing. The scene/mural of the crucifixion is almost life size and makes you feel like you are there. Our guide said that during Easter, Jesus is taken off the cross, prepared with anointing oils, wrapped in cloth, and then placed in the tomb. The various chapels and art is more than can be appreciated in the short time the tour allows for, but time is given at the end to explore the church. The outside gardens are amazing. There is a stations of the cross through the gardens, replicas of the Lourdes Grotto, Grotto of Gethsemane, Tomb of the Virgin, and so much more. Surrounding the front is a Rosary Portico with 15 chapels that commemorate the mysteries of the rosary. In each chapel are various placards that have the ‘Hail Mary’ in 150 various current and past languages. We spent about 2 hours here and it felt rushed. Could have easily spent longer here taking it all in. A beautiful place and we are grateful for Father Shilling for having brought this vision to life and to the Franciscans sharing this with all.

The church has replicas of many sites of Holy Land like the birth place of Jesus, the Sepulchre, Tomb of Mary, the garden of Gethsemane etc. It has replicas of catacombs as well. The idea was to see the events of the life of Jesus and that of the church without visiting those places in person as it would have been expensive and difficult to leave cattle for long durations. It is a good visit and free.

The Franciscan Monastery is a peaceful and inspiring place to visit. The gardens are beautifully maintained, the architecture is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is truly calming. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, making the experience even more special. A perfect spot for reflection, prayer, or simply enjoying nature in a quiet, sacred space. Highly recommended!

I came only for Sunday mass, not knowing the wonderful experience my husband and I were about to have. We walked around the church amazed by its beauty. We joined the tour which included the crypt with great relics. Lastly, we walked around the garden for almost an hour. We would have stayed longer if it weren't too hot, so I am sure we'll be back!

Incredible church to tour. As someone who had visited the Holy Land, I was impressed at how well done the replicas of sites at Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem brought back vivid memories of our trip 17 years ago to Israel and Palestine. Also, we emailed ahead of time and a Franciscan friar met us afterwards to speak to our boys (13, 11, 9, & 6) about his call to Holy Orders. Fr. Jacob Matthew Smith’s story was so moving and shared so beautifully, I am certain it will assist our boys in becoming the young men God wants them to be; so grateful to this Franciscan community and all they do for our church.

This monastery is always wonderful to visit. The gardens are fantastic. The architecture of the church is great with a very well done crypt.

Such a spiritual, life changing experience. I’ll definitely be bringing my loved ones to experience it all.

Purple Fern Photography recently shot a wedding there and it was an incredible space! There were so many beautiful areas for photos, the staff was very friendly, and everything went perfectly. We can't wait to shoot more weddings in this amazing space!

The grounds are beautiful, especially during warmer weather. The outside alone, could take a while to explore. The gardens are lovely. There is an outside chapel that has pretty views. The signage by each area is great at summing up what you are viewing. The monastery is lovely. If you want a guided tour, you will need to sign up (or just show up) for a scheduled time. The rooms and chapels are beautiful. Certain areas, especially downstairs are only available during a guided tour. There is plenty of parking. The only public transportation is a bus.

If you have never visited the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, you really should. It is a peaceful and tranquil place that offers you a glimpse of the Holy Land and the catacombs in Rome. It was dedicated in 1898. You can tour the historic church and the catacombs. You will see full-size replicas of shrines of the Holy Land - Mount Calvary, Holy Sepulchre, plus the catacombs, Purgatory Chapel, and Annunciation and Nativity grottos. They offer tours daily - due to Covid restrictions, you must make a reservation. Tours and parking are free. You will be delighted to see the 100+ Nativity sets from the collection of Roger and Marguerite Sullivan. They traveled the world and collected over 500 Nativity sets. The Nativity sets are on exhibit here until January 6, 2022. It is quite a collection - you will be surprised at the sizes and materials used.

In this time of secularism and the loss of the sacred, this place is a good reminder of what is still holy. We visited the gradens first (both upper and lower gardens) where you have various audio stops so you can wander the grounds at your leisure. There are icons dotted throughout and the Stations of the Cross. You get to visit a replica of the grotto in Lourdes and the tomb of Mary. A solemn walk around the rosary portico will also allow reflections on the 15 mysteries of the rosary (as handed by Mary to Sr. Dominic). Inside, catch a guided tour where the guide is very knowledgeable about the story behind the pieces and the bas reliefs throughout the church. Marvel at the replica of the stone where Jesus was laid down after being taken down from the cross and see what it would have looked like inside His tomb. It is also recommended to join a tour if you want to visit the catacombs where you can also pay respect to the remains of St. Benignus, as well as visit what St. Cecilia and St. Sebastian would have looked like when they were dug out of their tombs. It is truly a wonderful Catholic history all in one place. I Since not many can visit the Holy Land these days, this is surely the next best thing. We packed our own lunch since there were no nearby restaurants. The Angel Park beside the parking lot (free for visitors) was locked so we just ate in the car before returning back inside for the tour.

Gorgeous hidden oasis! Try to stop in when you can hear a concert as the acoustics are marvelous.

So we begin 2021 with a little stroll around the Franciscan Monastery. When we arrived a little after 3PM on Saturday, the gardens had already closed. And I kicked myself for not having coming in the summer when I first discovered it through a friend. My regret was short-lived though, because even in the middle of winter and with access only to the courtyard, the Monastery is one of the most beautiful and serene places you can visit in DC. We walked around the portico, which features plaques of the "Hail Mary" in 150 languages and enjoyed views of the Monastery as the sun set. It is a wonderful place for contemplation, but it's also a lovely one to bring litte ones to, especially when you've run out of things to do indoors. The place has such a peaceful quality to it that you can even manage to do some contemplation WHILE you tell them to walk and not run. Admission to the church is free, as is the visitor parking lot directly across the street. During the pandemic, the church itself is closed to the public. But the gardens are open. We can't wait to return to visit both when it's possible.

Brookland's Franciscan Monastery is for the people. The public is welcome to wander through the gardens reflecting in the shrines found in caves. The church's high ceiling and underground catacombs welcome all. There's a concert on Sundays at 4pm and anyone can rent for $100 a night one of two tiny homes on the property to use as silent retreats. Saint Francis Hall is one of the most affordable wedding venues in the city. While monks attend to the bee community and gardens, the public are free to roam.

Beautiful place and space. Parking lot across the street. Easy access. Very accessible. The church and hallways and gathering spaces are beautiful. What an amazing space to attend Mass, or to pray or meditate, or to stroll and learn, or to take an official tour with a guide. The gardens are large and beautiful. History. Spirituality. Beauty. Education. And yes - ice cream across the street many months of the year... Love the Franciscan Monastery and grounds and adjacent buildings.

This is one of those places everyone in town should visit once, even though it's often overlooked because it's not downtown or related to politics. But, it's a stunning church filled with replicas of various holy land shrines. A strange concept, maybe, but the idea was to give people who didn't have the money or health to visit the real holy land. It is supposed to be a place to worship and get inspired. If you want to visit, they offer a tour every hour till 3. There's a mock grotto, a large, lovely garden, and haunting catacombs beneath the church.

Wow. This is a magnificent place: the church, the cloisters, the smaller chapels and architectural follies - and the small gardens in and around the main buildings. But for true garden-lovers, the heavenly gardens and grotto to the south are the most impressive. A path winds down towards the grotto and other crypts and statues - and an outdoor worship area. The trees and flowers are gorgeous and create a peaceful, meditative space. (See my photos.) After walking down and through the gardens, I walked up and around the front of the basilica and did a brief tour of the inside. Very impressive architecture, stained glass and murals. I didn't get to the crypt. Will save that for next time. Note: In April the monastery hosts a huge plant sale. At Christmas, they light up the gardens in a very impressive way, I was told. More reasons to return!

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America which is located in Washington D.C. is the Holy Land friars' U.S. home, dedicated to supporting the 800-year mission of the Franciscan Friars in the Holy Land through pilgrimage, education, vocations and financial support. For 800 years, the Roman Catholic Church has entrusted the guardianship of the Holy Land and shrines of the Christian religion to the Order of St. Francis (Franciscans). Although making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is on our bucket list, the ability to trek to The Franciscan Monastery which brings the Holy Land experience to America with full-size replicas of Holy Land shrines, a beautiful church and contemplative gardens is so impressive yet humbling. If you ever find yourself in DC, I would highly recommend making this trip to the Holy Land Monastery in DC - it's well worth it and you will be enthralled with the full-size replicas of all the Holy Land shrines. Be sure to seek out and say hello to the Guardian of the Holy Land Monastery Father Larry Dunham, OFM - he's an amazing and very personable "Guardian!"

Peaceful. Simple. Eloquent. Historic. Flowers on flowers on flowers. The monastery is grand on the inside, high ceilings, somber, beautiful artwork. It's actually older than the national cathedral. My favorite though is the garden- it's my new reading spot in DC. On a nice day, if you need some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the metro area, come here. Tall oak trees line the pathways providing shade from the sun, beautiful flower beds, little nooks and corners for you to hide away. Whether you're a believer in God or not, you won't be able to deny the beauty and simplicity of nature and the calming peace that surrounds the garden. Perhaps it's God's spirit working through the area, or its nature, or both. But really, this is a great place to clear your mind.

Although my son has been attending college in D.C. for several years, he wasn't aware of this place until I pointed it out to him via Atlas Obscura. We decided that a trip to explore the monastery and grounds should be on our itinerary during a recent visit to D.C. We arrived at the Franciscan Monastery on a particularly chilly January day, ruling out any thought of roaming the gardens. Instead, we headed inside for an early afternoon guided tour. Even though we found ourselves surrounded by a large school group during the tour, the guide made sure that everyone could hear his commentary. The tour started with a short documentary film about the monastery, then proceeded into the chapel. It's a very interesting tour that offers a better understanding of the iconography and architectural elements of the monastery. We find unusual sites more interesting so the catacombs were definitely our favorite. Navigating through the catacombs can be a bit tight with a large group, but not impossible. We did linger at the relic of St. Innocent long enough to miss part of the tour narration but caught up quickly. A final stop in the small gift shop ended our visit. They have lots of unusual items for sale, including a large, hand-carved wooden Nativity Scene. The Franciscan Monastery is definitely a unique site among all the monuments and political attractions in the D.C. area. If you're looking to enjoy something a little different, this is the place.

This is a great off-the-beaten path tourist destination for those who have seen it all. There is a free parking across the street, so it is convenient as well. Tours were free. Our guide provided us with the history of the Franciscan's, as well as the church. At the end of the tour, we walked into the reproduction of the catacombs. I had somehow thought the catacombs were real, so I was a bit disappointed, but, it's still cool to see reproductions. The grounds are also beautiful. There's a few gardens, with caves, and plenty of benches so you can bring a book and relax for a bit.

The Monastery is one of my favorite places to walk on the weekends. It is only a few blocks from my apartment, and it has the best gardens I have seen in DC. I originally only walked through the upper rose gardens in the summer, and those alone are completely gorgeous and serene. The roses are always full and lovely, and it is especially gorgeous in the rain. Then, I finally started making it down to the lower gardens where the replicas of the grottos, Garden of Gethsemane, Tomb of the Virgin Mary, and more. I am not Catholic so I didn't understand all of it, but I still have a total respect for everything here. I am so excited for next spring so I can see the flowers again! If you are looking to see beautiful flowers, you should come here over the U.S. Botanic Gardens or the National Arboretum because it is ten times better. Two really cool things about the outdoor gardens. First, they are dog friendly! My parents little 8 pounder loves to walk down the walkways and sniff around all of the flowers. Second, an impressive feat is that there are QR codes so that you can learn more about different shrines. What an easy way to learn more! It took me many trips to see the inside of the Monastery. I finally convinced my housemate to come with me for a 2 PM tour on a Sunday. We expected to be the only people, but about five minutes after the tour started, we ended up with a total group of 8. The tour is short at only 45 minutes, and the comparison to a Disney ride is pretty fair. The opening movie with a monk in front of a green screen was a bit cheesy, but once you are in the church, you will be surprised at the beauty. There are beautiful domes and art, and the lower level under the church with the catacombs is really interesting. I do think I would prefer a little more realism in some of the human depictions in the relics, but most things are really beautiful. The Monastery is also exceptionally welcoming, as my housemate is clearly gay, and there was also a middle-aged gay man on our tour. There was ZERO judgement here, which was awesome. Looks like you could end up with some judgy people looking at these reviews, though. People can talk about the churches in Europe all they want, but there is nothing that old in the U.S. If you aren't an entitled white person who thinks your yearly trip to Europe is normal, then you will appreciate the monastery. At the end of the tour, there is a little gift area. Gifts ranged from rosaries, to handmade ornaments and scarfs, to Holy Water, to granola. I guess the monks enjoying making granola. All in all, this is one of my favorite places to come for serenity on the weekends in the warm weather, and it's one of the true hidden gems of DC.

A beautiful refuge for quiet contemplation in the midst of a residential area. Plenty of parking means low stress. A quiet valley with tall trees and subterranean grotto for meditation. A grand rose garden with columned open passages for great photography backdrops. Lots of nooks with benches for a sit down. A picnic wouldn't be amiss here. No entry fee (here's looking at you Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown). This place is worth a visit as an off-the-beaten-track spot in Washington D.C.

Kate C. was right... IT'S"S CATHOLIC DISNEYLAND!!! I have to say this is by my FAVORITE PLACE in DC. I never even knew it was there until I saw it on yelp. I took a tour with someone who wasn't religious and we had a great time nonetheless. The docent provided us with an interesting history of both the monastery and Jerusalem. The whole tour was FREE (they accept donations), the grounds were (pardon the pun) immaculate, and everyone was as nice as could be (what do you expect from monks?). The only downside is that the roads there in DC are not labeled.... at all... so bring an iphone or droid. You're GPS will get confused (our TOM TOM did). If you want to go to mass, check their website for the times.

This is a beautiful place of pilgrimage. I usually partake in the Mass celebrations of the Franciscan feasts, which is very solomn i.e. the Portiuncula Mass, St. Francis' Feast day; I also love the garden Stations of the Cross at 3 p.m.on Good Friday and the Mass & the burial of Christ. If you are touring the DC area, you should not miss a blessing from a visit to the Franciscan Monastery.

The Franciscan Monastery is an absolutely gorgeous monastery in Northeast DC. I had no idea this peaceful and beautiful place existed within DC until recently. I visited in Dec 2016 to walk through the beautiful gardens and inside the monastery itself. It reminds me a bit of the National Basilica, but is far less crowded. I took a guided tour inside the monastery and even checked out the catacomb below, which was fascinating, even if a bit haunting. The shrine replicas throughout were very interesting. My favorite part of my visit was my stroll through the gardens. Even on a cold December day, it was a very pleasant and peaceful visit. I am very glad I visited!

Oh I've been coming here for spiritual reflection since the age of 17. What a fun cool, Catholic place to visit. Great place for pictures. Lovely flowers and mass is abbreviated enough to enjoy the day! Awesome gift shop.

I love being a tourist. I have lived in DC for 3 years, and I still enjoy walking up to the Lincoln Memorial. However, it is nice to try to find off-path adventures, especially ones that allow dogs. DC's Franciscan Monastery is great if you are just in town to see the monuments, but have run out of things to see, and its great to just go and walk around the gardens and spend an afternoon outdoors. There are some great photo opportunities, an even the potential to creep yourself out in their catacombs. I would say you should control your expectations, however. One reviewer correctly said that this place isn't particularly stunning if you have been to various cathedrals in Europe. However, this isn't a cathedral, its a monastery. Much less money for decorations. Also, this place wasn't around during the renaissance, and Michelangeloan art is really hard to come by these days. They are doing the best they can.

Staying as a guest of the Monastery for the weekend, they have a spotless and well equipped "Hermitage" in the woods out back, so for a few days at least, I'm a Hermit. Coincidentally, it's the feast of St Francis, and this being a Franciscan Monastery, there's a lot going on... The beautiful grounds, acres upon acres of land -much of it manicured, much of it raw- and to-scale replicas of sacred holy sites make this a sacred holy site in and of itself. The brothers and Fathers are very friendly and accommodating, they even handed me the keys to my very own private chapel tucked away in the woods out back to use whenever I like, 24/7. Even without all of this, the Church itself is a sight to behold... A must-stop for any Catholic -or Christian for that matter- when in DC.

First and foremost, this place is not only historic, but it is very beautiful both inside and out. I was babysitting in the area when the parents told me about the monastery walking distance from their house. The little boy I was watching and I came up for about fifteen minutes before he got antsy and departed. However, the next day, I decided to bring my boyfriend here where we spent a good half of the day just roaming around exploring and people watching. We brought a picnic lunch where we ate it in the parking lot before going across the street to the grounds. Understandable, since they did not want littering and what not. We first went into the church and did our own self guided tour. We didn't wait for a proper tour guide, but rather took it upon ourselves to take in all of the beauty and architecture around us. This was built from 1898-99. There is a real catacomb in here. In Italy, the exhumed the bones of a saint and brought them here to be entombed in the cathedral itself. I am Methodist. Being that I was intrigued about when they hold services and what not to simply check out, I could not help but to be amused by the fairly large confessional calendar they have on Sundays. They had it at 10 and 11AM followed by 1, 2, and 3PM in the afternoon. I guess it makes sense though, right? The grounds are well maintained with hoards of rose gardens of all sorts. I couldn't quit taking pictures because everything was so beautiful. There are mock grottoes (replicas of ones from around the world) and shrines. This is a hidden gem worth seeing especially if you are interested in religion itself or a devout Catholic.

When we took a tour of this place, we were told that it was a commissariat (a government department) of Jerusalem for the US. Whatever it is, it is a beautiful building with fantastic stained glass. It is mainly a church and a monetary. The church was built in the 1900's in a Byzantine-style. The church holds replicas of sacred shrines. Underneath the Franciscan monastery (with an order of friars and nuns) is a replica of Roman catacombs. You can self- tour yourself around the grounds, and then take a tour guide led walk through the monastery and church every hour on the top of the hour.

Now this is a place to visit. Almost a hidden jewel in DC. If you cannot afford to go to the Holy Land...this is the place to be! They have replicas of Holy Land shrines, statues, catacombs, a place where Mary lived. All of these are great reminders of how beautiful and rich is our Catholic Christian tradition

Beautiful gem in NE DC. It feels like you've left the city and entered a monastery in a small Italian city. It's very calm and quiet here so if you're looking for a peaceful moment, this is the place to go.

Cyndy's Bottom Line: I felt like I was transported to another place and time. The monastery and the grounds (garden) are absolutely beautiful! - Tours provided for the cathedral and the gardens. - There is a gift shop - Parking lot across the street which is free.

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.

We visited the gardens today and I highly recommend going there. Until a few days ago, I'd never even heard of the monastery - but what a hidden jewel those gardens are! The neighborhood is peaceful and the gardens are a real treat; lovely and well taken care of. In addition, there are many mosaic tile art works (religious, of course) all along the arched brick walkways (which in themselves are very evocative of Italy). There are also several large statues - and the exterior of the main building is very pretty.

Welcome to the Vatican Disneyland. This is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world. The idea of this place is a bit extreme - about 100 years ago they wanted to recreate a bunch the holy sites for people to go on pilgrimage at if they could not travel to Israel, France etc. So they built catacombs underneath, a Lourdes grotto, the church of st Frances etc. It is beautiful and kitsch all at the same time. Even if you are not Catholic - it is a really cool place to come. The outdoor gardens are lovely and a nice place for a quiet stroll or sit down and read without being disturbed.. The gardens are just amazing. I don't know how they do it! The last several years they have been doing a lot of restoration work and the painting are really starting look amazing. On a side note - if you go - check out the huge mural of Christ on the cross at Calvary .... Notice the roman solider with the mustache???? That is a self portrait of the artist .... anyways -I am very disappointed in some the changes the current/new Abbot has made such as taking down the altar rails, and removing a lot of the quirky stuff from the gift shop (just shows he doesn't know his crowd). It is always worth coming buy during the various holidays to see the decorations etc - they really go overboard:) The two big events not to miss - In the spring on St Francis's feast day they do a blessing of the animals - all pets are welcome - furred, finned, feathered , scaled - if it's breathing (and even if it isn't) they will bless it for you. Good Friday - they do a beautiful procession - Christ comes off the cross in the Calvary mural, they place him in the tomb(rebuilt to be exactly like the one in Jerusalem - and roll the rock in front of it - People weep like babies.

Who knew average Joes and Janes like me could wander around here just for fun? The grounds are lovely, as is the Main Church. I haven't been to a service here yet, but it looks promising. The gift shop is replete with rosaries, statues, pocket cards, bumper stickers, audio CDs, books, and containers for holy water. There's oodles of free parking and free holy water.

The friars of this Franciscan monestary are dedicated to preserving Middle Eastern holy sites, refugees and schools, but I guess they don't have a good publicist because not many people around here were really aware of their purpose. In order to rectify that, they decided to build their own Holy Land here in DC replicating what they do in the Middle East. Tour the gardens, seek out the Hail Mary prayer written in at least 100 languages, check out the Lourdes grotto and tomb of Jesus replicas, visit the underground catacombs beneath the main church (again, a simulation) and then peek at the church itself. All very beautiful. And don't forget the gift shop! I can find a reason to shop no matter where I go or what I do!

Disneyland is right. This place is great. They have fantastic gardens and an arched walkway with the Lord's Prayer in something like 150 languages, including Inuit, N'Kosa, and 13th, 14th, and 15th Century English. It's fascinating. In a thousand years this place will be the next Rosetta Stone. In a thousand years this place will be the next Rosetta Stone. I live nearby and take all visiting friends for a tour. Inside it says the Catholic Church was worried about the lack of relics and reminders of the faith in the U.S., which didn't have the centuries of Cathedrals, etc, you find in Europe. They ran a special bus from Union Station to the Monastery to handle the crush of visitors during its early ears. I'm Jewgnostic, but I go with my "I believe in a higher power" wife on Easter. The music and atmosphere is great, though I feel guilty during the hand-holding thing. I feel like I'm breaking the Spiritual Circuit. Oh well, I'm sure their spiritual electricity is powerful enough to blast right through my weak conductor. This place is a must visit for all Washingtonians. The Howard U. Theology School is next door and it's worth a ride up their driveway to see the Knights and Saints carved into their building. And if you are there in the morning, the Ice Cream Station on 12th street does a great, cheap Southern-style breakfast in a styrofoam take-away box. The oniony, thick cut homefries and grits (with lotsa butter) leave me verklempt. I get three breakfasts for the four of us and there are still leftovers. The Monks here do rotations of something like 3 years in DC, and three years on Temple Mount, where they work hand-in-hand with Jewish and Muslim clerics to keep the place functioning. I think they said the Muslims have the keys to the front door, they maintain Jesus' tomb, etc. Too bad the rest of us can't all get along like them.

I echo other yelpers' comments about it being a Catholic Disneyland. Basically they copied famous structures (whether they be tombs or catacombs) from the Holy Lands and recreated them here. I guess this served a purpose 100 yrs ago when cross-Atlantic flights where non-existent and people would never see the famous structures. But in today's world of cheap airfare and even cheaper Internet access, something feels cheap about seeing a replica (i.e. think Eiffel Tower in Vegas). Regardless, I do respect what they are trying to accomplish here. The grounds are very beautiful, especially in spring with the tulips. I think the Basilica up the street is much more impressive/worth the visit, but there is a quiet presence at the monastery (imagine that) and fewer visitors. Interesting fact: every Fri when Catholic churches collect donations, this monastery is the one that oversees all those funds! Also, they had a holy water "fountain" right outside the gift shop with a sign that read "do not take more than 16oz of holy water." :)

This review is only for the tour of the building, not for the gardens (because we visited in winter) or any sort of religious service. I heard about this place from a woman giving a ghost tour, who described it as one of the more unique DC tours, and having lived here for a few years and having done most of the other attractions I decided to check this out. The building looks really cool from the outside, and it seems like when things are in bloom the gardens would be quite nice. As for the tour itself, this Monastery replicates biblical cites and the guide said the original idea was for people who could not visit the levant to see some of these sites. The idea is cool but I think we were expecting something like visiting a nice church with beautiful art, this had more of the feeling of Disney doing the bible than it did of a historic cathedral.

Unfriendly and very unwelcoming staff at visitor center. Donate money elsewhere. Stars, heavenly or otherwise, can't be placed here. In fact emoji pitchforks are more appropriate. I called several times to get info and try and figure out how they run the tours. I felt like the staff person who answered the phone was holding back info and really didn't want me to visit the Monastery. Web site says reservations for more than six. When I called asking about a space just for myself the lady responded that it's 2 or more. I didn't see that on the web site. After dragging it out of her, she explained they don't like to give tours for only 1 person. Ok, so I tried my luck hoping there would be some people on Sunday. I arrived 5 minutes late literally running from the metro, yes I have the capacity to use metro and aspire to low carbon footprint. No one was at the visitor center. So I called. No explanation If there was a tour no offer to catch up. It would have been better to have a recording. I'm saddened that somehow my donations from prior years resulted in this unwelcome atmosphere. It's great to have this place if you live in the neighborhood. Oh and if you see all the massive mosaics in the Basilica/Shrine, then you won't need to see them here. Maybe the garden if you are a horticulturist. The unfriendly un-welcome and exclusivity, aka snootiness, by the attendant is what is really crumbling the church organization. Get some CUA students to do some missionary work greeting people here and providing tours. That's what I've seen at Buddhist temples in Asia. I fully understand this is a sanctuary and holy place but either you are "open" to the public or not. I will pray for the serenity To be stronger than the loss of hospitality here on these grounds. Sad, disheartening and disappointing.

I totally forgot that I bookmarked this place years ago when I was looking for a dog-friendly outing on a weekend. But, that I was browsing my Yelp bookmarks and up it popped when I was looking to do something outdoors, interesting, and relaxing to meet up with an old friend. The grounds are gorgeous. I didn't realize that the monastery itself was meant to be a replica of the various religiously significant parts of "The Holy Land". If you're into that kind of thing, you can get a tour. But, since I'm not, I was happy to just wonder the grounds, enjoy the flowers and trees, and the complete lack of people. I'm just surprised how few people know about this place. It's beautiful. And empty on a 70 degree summer Saturday in DC. My favorite part was walking around the grounds and seeing all the different languages they had written a famous bibilical verse. Many languages I had never heard of! I didn't bring my dog, but I will next time. And, shhh....don't tell anyone else about this place. Or just take an amnesia pill after reading this review.

Beautiful and secluded. I'm not sure why this gorgeous place has been hidden from me for so long. The tour was very informative and interesting. The architecture is beautiful and made me feel as if I was actually in the Holy Lands. It beats taking a 13 hour flight over-seas, although I would take a vacation any day over staying at home. But while here in DC, this is definitely a place to check out, learn something new and take some time to relax and breathe in their beautiful Valley of the Shrines.

I have been visiting DC for years and yet had no idea this beautiful place existed. There is a beautiful church, with full-scale replicas of some of the Holy Land Shrines. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable as he led us through the shrines, the catacombs and various chapels, explaining the significance of each. Tours are free (with the opportunity, but no pressure, to make a freewill offering) and parking is available across the street. I was there on a day of torrential rains and so limited my visit to the church itself. I hope to go back to see the gardens also.

I've been to the Monastery many times over the past thirty-three years...ALWAYS fabulous!

I used to come here as a kid, and never knew where it was! It was just that secret place my mom took me too on random weekdays. I was always entranced by the mystery of the catacombs and the beauty of the gardens. It really is a jewel, and something everyone, Catholic or not, should get a chance to see. Just for the architecture, the art, the historic significance, or the chance to check out the monks.

A peaceful enclave in a busy city. Near the Shrine; so, if you see one you must see the other. Take some time and walk around the gardens. Truly beautiful.

I came here with a friend who lives in the area. I am not religious so my visit and review are purely historical and architectural based. Although the architecture and the gardens are beautiful they were not worth the trip. We decided to leave much earlier than anticipated and did not do the guided tour. The place is clean and well maintained but just not utterly interesting.

They have a sunrise mass on Easter that is lovely. During the summer they also do tours of their gardens on Saturdays at 11 and 12.

If you are going to the beautiful gardens and stonework to take photos, this is a great place to go. If you are curious about the "Catholic Disneyland" sights, well...not so impressive. If you've been to Europe, the recreations are unimpressive, but it is a bit interesting if you've run out of tourist things to do. I took a grandma, a 3 year old and a 6 year old with me, and it went ok, but wasn't a great outing. The Washington Cathedral is more interesting that this place, if you are choosing between, but this is very close to Catholic University.

This is a great place to visit. I actually had never been here before until my cousin's wife had an open art studio in one of the studios behind the church. I'm not religious, so I didn't really connect with this place on that level. But I thought the gardens and the architecture was beautiful. Upon arrival, I was unable to locate the studio and wandered around the gardens and inside the church a bit. I looked around at the beautiful historic art and features. I finally located the open studios in the back, and loved how it took you through the garden and into a hidden trail behind the church. Very beautiful place, but definitely not the Washington Cathedral. But still worth seeing at least once!

I can't believe I haven't mentioned the Monastery! Gorgeous architecture, paintings and flowers. Attend a beautiful Mass service and tour the catacombs.

Wow, what a beautiful place. The grounds are lovely. And it's got a curious story. Can you spice up the tour a bit? I know sexy isn't Franciscan territory but a little more enlightening about the important works the community does might provoke some emotion from visitors. Wouldn't St. Francis want us to FEEL the Kingdom of Heaven was upon us? I'd visit again, anyway. Do you do a Blessing of the Animals there?

Nice place to take pictures. Bring your tripod to take pix inside the church. Its gorgeous

Fabulous paradise in the middle of political chaos. You will feel renewed. My favorite place for confession. Incredible gardens. Call and check times for tours.