The Mount of Olives overlooks the Temple Mount and the city of Jerusalem.  The Kidron Valley divides these two mounts.  This mount was named for its numerous olive groves.  In biblical times, gardens were not allowed in Jerusalem proper. So many wealthy people had private gardens planted on the slope which overlooked Jerusalem.  This mount is famous for several sites. Jesus frequently went here with his disciples to pray and rest.  His triumphant entry into Jerusalem was from this mount.  His ascension into heaven was from the top of this mount. 

The Jews believe that the Messiah will arrive in Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.  Along the slope of this mount is the oldest continually used cemetery in the world. Graves date back as far as four thousand years. Tradition holds that the people buried here will be the first to rise when the Messiah comes.  Many believe that this is the area prophesied by Joel as the "Vale of Jehosophat" and place of final judgment (Joel 3:2).

The Garden of Gethsemani, located on the lower slope of the Mount of Olives, is the place where Jesus went with his disciples to pray after the last supper and where he was betrayed by Judas and arrested.