Icon of Mary and Jesus, Tomb of the Virgin Mary, Jerusalem, Israel, 2009 (photo)

The site venerated as the Tomb of the Virgin Mary is located in the Kidron (Cedron) Valley, at the foothill of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. According to Christian tradition, this site in Jerusalem is where Mary fell into an eternal sleep and was taken to heaven. The tomb dates from the 1st century AD. A succession of Christian churches have been built, destroyed and rebuilt on this site since the Byzantine period (6th century). The Crusaders were the last to rebuild the church in 1130. Saladin destroyed most of the upper church in the late 12th century, leaving the lower church intact. The site is also venerated by Muslims, since the Prophet Muhammad is said to have seen a light over Mary's Tomb in his Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem.