Every year, millions of Christians around the world remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us clearly that He was crucified at a place called “Golgotha,” also known as “Calvary.” But where exactly was this location? Was it a hill shaped like a skull? Is the real site inside a busy church in Jerusalem today, or somewhere else entirely?
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Calvary (Golgotha), its biblical meaning, historical evidence, the two main locations people point to today, and why most scholars believe the traditional site is the authentic one.
What Do “Golgotha” and “Calvary” Actually Mean?
The name appears four times in the New Testament:
- Matthew 27:33 – “a place called Golgotha (that is to say, Place of a Skull)”
- Mark 15:22 – same wording
- Luke 23:33 – simply “the place called The Skull”
- John 19:17 – “the place called The Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha”
“Golgotha” is an Aramaic word (the everyday language Jesus spoke) meaning “skull.” The Latin translation of the same word is “Calvaria,” which became “Calvary” in English.
Why “Place of the Skull”? Two main theories exist:
- The hill or rock outcrop naturally looked like a human skull (some visible rock faces still do).
- It was a public execution ground where skulls and bones of the dead were commonly seen.
Most historians today lean toward the second explanation — it was simply Jerusalem’s regular place of crucifixion.
Why Was Jesus Crucified Outside the City Walls?
Both Roman and Jewish law required executions and burials to happen outside the city.
- Hebrews 13:12 says Jesus “suffered outside the gate” to sanctify the people.
- Crucifixion was meant to be public and humiliating — major roads leading into Jerusalem were perfect for that.
- The site had to be close enough for people to watch, yet outside the sacred boundary of the city.
Any authentic site of the crucifixion must have been outside Jerusalem’s walls in AD 33.
The Traditional Site: Church of the Holy Sepulchre
For almost 1,700 years, the vast majority of Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, and many Protestants) have accepted one location: inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City.
How Was This Site Discovered?
In AD 326, Empress Helena (mother of Emperor Constantine) visited Jerusalem to find holy sites. Local Christians had preserved oral tradition pointing to a location that had been deliberately buried under a Roman temple to Jupiter around AD 135 by Emperor Hadrian — a common tactic to erase Jewish and Christian memory.
When workers dug beneath the temple, they reportedly found:
- An ancient rock quarry with tombs
- A rock outcrop locals still called “the Skull”
- Three crosses and early Christian graffiti
Constantine immediately ordered the temple destroyed and a magnificent church built over the spot. That church, rebuilt several times after fires and earthquakes, is today’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Evidence Supporting the Holy Sepulchre
| Evidence | Details |
|---|---|
| Outside the walls in Jesus’ time | First-century walls ended south of the modern site; the church was clearly outside until AD 44 |
| Ancient Jewish tombs nearby | 1st-century rock-cut tombs discovered under the church prove the area was used for burial — exactly what the Gospels describe |
| Constant Christian veneration | Unbroken tradition from at least the early 2nd century |
| Archaeological findings | Roman-era quarry, 1st-century tombs, and early Christian worship markings |
| Eyewitness accounts | 4th-century pilgrims like Egeria describe visiting the exact spot |
Today, inside the church you can touch the rocky top of Calvary (now encased in glass) and visit the tomb believed to be Jesus’.
The Alternative Site: Gordon’s Calvary and the Garden Tomb
In 1842, German theologian Otto Thenius suggested a rocky hill north of the Damascus Gate looked like a skull. In 1883, British General Charles Gordon popularized the idea, and the hill became known as “Gordon’s Calvary” or “Skull Hill.”
A beautiful garden with a 1st-century tomb nearby was discovered in 1867 and is now called the Garden Tomb. Many Protestant tour groups love visiting here because of its peaceful setting and visible “skull” face in the rock.
Why Gordon’s Calvary Is Unlikely
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Inside later city walls | The area was inside Jerusalem’s walls from the time of Herod Agrippa (AD 44) onward |
| Tomb dates too late | Most archaeologists date the Garden Tomb to the 8th–7th century BC (Iron Age), not the 1st century AD |
| No execution tradition | No historical or archaeological evidence of Roman crucifixions here |
| “Skull” appearance is modern | The skull-like sockets were created by 19th–20th-century quarrying |
The Garden Tomb Association itself now openly states it is a wonderful place for worship and reflection, but not the actual site of Jesus’ burial.
Scholarly Consensus Today
Almost all professional archaeologists and biblical historians — including many Protestant scholars — accept the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the authentic location of both Golgotha and the tomb.
Notable experts who support the traditional site:
- Prof. Dan Bahat (former District Archaeologist of Jerusalem)
- Prof. Shimon Gibson
- Prof. Martin Biddle (excavator of the tomb area)
- Dr. Joan E. Taylor
Visiting Calvary (Golgotha) Today
If you ever go to Jerusalem, you can:
- Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (free, open daily except during services).
- Climb the steep stairs on the right to the Calvary chapel.
- Kneel and place your hand under the altar to touch the actual rock of Golgotha.
- Walk a few steps to the tomb (the Aedicule) where millions believe Jesus rose.
Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Calvary a hill or just a place?
The Bible never calls it a “hill.” The word is simply “place.” Some traditions added the idea of a hill later, but the rock inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is only about 5 meters (16 ft) above the surrounding floor — more a rocky outcrop than a high hill.
2. Why do some people still prefer Gordon’s Calvary?
It looks more like the quiet garden setting people imagine from the Gospels, and the skull-shaped cliff is striking in photos. It’s a beautiful place for meditation, even if not historical.
3. Is there any chance the real location is lost forever?
Very unlikely. The early church preserved the memory carefully, and Hadrian’s temple actually helped protect the site from destruction.
4. Did Jesus carry His cross all the way to Golgotha?
John 19:17 says yes. Mark 15:21 says Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it part of the way — probably after Jesus collapsed.
5. How far was Golgotha from the center of Jerusalem?
About 600–800 meters (less than half a mile) — a short but painful walk for someone who had been scourged.
6. Are there any relics of the True Cross at the Holy Sepulchre?
Yes. A large fragment is kept behind the main altar and is brought out for veneration every Good Friday.
7. Can non-Christians visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
Absolutely. It’s open to everyone and respected as a holy site by Muslims and Jews as well.
8. Has DNA or scientific testing been done on the site?
Limited testing has been done on the tomb mortar (2016–2017 restoration). Results confirmed materials from the 1st century and later Crusader-era repairs.
Final Thoughts: The Real Importance of Calvary
Whether you stand inside the crowded, incense-filled Church of the Holy Sepulchre or in the peaceful Garden Tomb, the exact square meters matter far less than the event that happened there.
Jesus was crucified at Golgotha — the Place of the Skull — outside Jerusalem around AD 33. He died, was buried, and on the third day rose again. That truth changed history forever.
If you ever have the chance to visit Jerusalem, go to both sites. Touch the rock of Calvary. Pray at the tomb. And remember: the power of the cross doesn’t depend on GPS coordinates — it depends on faith.
God bless you as you reflect on the greatest sacrifice in history.
