Church of the Visitation

The Church of the Visitation in En Kerem, a village west of Jerusalem, is a Franciscan pilgrimage church completed in 1955 on the site traditionally associated with Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth — the biblical event known as the Visitation, recounted in the Gospel of Luke. En Kerem is also venerated as the birthplace of John the Baptist, making the village a significant destination for Christian pilgrims. The church's courtyard is lined with ceramic tiles inscribed with the Magnificat in 41 languages, a striking detail that sets the site apart from other Marian churches in the Holy Land. The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land maintains the church and welcomes visitors year-round.