Church of Visitation

This church, on a hilltop in the village of Ein Karem near Jerusalem, honors the visit Mary, Jesus' mother, paid to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. When the two women met, Mary uttered her song of praise, the Magnificent. The church courtyard is beautifully adorned with tiled representations of that canticle in numerous languages. A tranquil garden links a contemplative cave-chapel marking the site of the Mary and Elizabeth's meeting to the grand church above.