Peaceful religious sanctuary featuring a Byzantine-style church, Holy Land shrine replicas, catacombs, and expansive gardens with over a thousand rose bushes.
General Information
Gardens: Daily 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Tours: Daily on the hour, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free garden tours Saturdays, April–September at 11:00 a.m. and noon
Donations appreciated
Reservations required for groups of 6 or more
How to Get There
From central Washington, DC, take Michigan Avenue NE to 14th Street NE, then turn onto Quincy Street NE to reach the entrance near Brookland.
Overview
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is a serene oasis in Washington, D.C., offering visitors a spiritual and cultural journey through replicas of sacred Christian sites. Founded in 1898 by Franciscan friars, the monastery was designed to bring the experience of the Holy Land to Americans unable to travel abroad. The centerpiece is a stunning Byzantine-style church surrounded by cloistered walkways, catacombs, and meticulously recreated shrines such as the Lourdes Grotto and the Tomb of Christ. The monastery also features a peaceful garden with over 1,000 rose bushes, herbs, and native plants, making it a haven for reflection and prayer.
Daily tours guide visitors through the church and underground catacombs, while seasonal garden tours highlight the monastery’s horticultural beauty. The grounds also host concerts, workshops, and community events, supported by the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild. With its blend of religious devotion, architectural grandeur, and natural tranquility, the Franciscan Monastery offers a unique pilgrimage experience in the heart of the nation’s capital. Whether you're seeking spiritual enrichment or simply a quiet escape, this hidden gem welcomes all with open arms.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
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