Pilgrim Accommodation in the Holy Land
- Mike O'Brien
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 16
The map shows up to date information about pilgrim guesthouses, hostels and hotels, in the Holy Land. It includes contact information and websites where available. We advise that you contact the accommodations directly for information about value rates offered for individual pilgrims and groups. The map is updated regularly.
The History of Pilgrim Houses
For nearly two thousand years, Christians have travelled to the Holy Land, drawn by a deep desire to visit the land of Christ. From the earliest days of the Church, pilgrims braved long, often dangerous journeys from across the Mediterranean and beyond to reach Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the Galilee. The history of Christian pilgrim accommodation in the Holy Land is as rich and layered as the land itself.
The Early Pilgrims: Hospitality as a Sacred Duty
In the 4th century, after Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, the flow of pilgrims to the Holy Land increased dramatically. Monasteries, convents, and charitable houses began offering shelter — not as a business, but as a spiritual ministry. Welcoming the stranger was seen as welcoming Christ Himself (Matthew 25:35). Pilgrims might sleep in monastery courtyards, church annexes, or shared dormitories, receiving simple bread, oil, and wine to sustain them on their journey.
The Crusader Era: Hospices and Hospitals
During the Crusader period (11th–13th centuries), the idea of organized hospices flourished. Orders like the Knights Hospitaller and the Order of St. John established hostels that provided not only beds but also medical care. These facilities, often built near major shrines, became early prototypes of the pilgrim guesthouse — part refuge, part waystation, part ministry.
The legacy lives on with St. John's eye Hospital group. The main hospital is in Sheikh Jarrah but they have clinics throughout the region including outreach in Gaza
Franciscan Guardianship and the Casa Nova Tradition
In 1342, Pope Clement VI officially entrusted the guardianship of the Holy Places to the Franciscan Order. From the 16th century onward, the Franciscans developed a network of Casae Novae (“new houses”) in key pilgrimage centres such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Tiberias. These houses were more than places to sleep — they were spiritual homes for travellers. Pilgrims could pray in attached chapels, join daily Mass, and rest in an environment steeped in Christian tradition.
19th–20th Centuries: A Global Church Comes to Stay
As travel became easier in the 19th century, new waves of pilgrims arrived — not only from Europe but from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This era saw the rise of national guesthouses, such as the Austrian Hospice (1854), the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre (1884), and Lutheran and Anglican facilities. These guesthouses reflected the architectural styles and cultures of their sponsoring nations, offering pilgrims a familiar environment far from home.
Today: Tradition Meets Modern Comfort
Modern Christian guesthouses in the Holy Land blend the ancient tradition of hospitality with today’s travel needs. Many still operate under the care of religious communities — Franciscans, Bridgettine Sisters, Rosary Sisters, and others — maintaining the prayerful atmosphere of centuries past. Others are run by Christian NGOs or dioceses, offering affordable, centrally located stays that keep the pilgrimage experience accessible. While providing vital employment for the local population regardless of ethnicity or religious belief, and stimulating the economy of otherwise poor communities.
For many visitors, staying in a Christian guesthouse is not just about convenience — it’s about being part of a living tradition. Each Casa Nova, hospice, or convent guesthouse is a thread in the tapestry of Christian presence in the Holy Land, quietly continuing the sacred ministry of welcoming the stranger in the name of Christ.
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