franciscan monastery garden tours

Franciscan Monastery

*The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America .is located in the Brookland section of N.E. Washington, D.C.  Here’s the Monastery’s Wiki page for info about everything there – the gardens, replicas of shrines in Israel and the catacombs in Rome, an archive and library, and more.

The Landscape Architect’s Guide to Washington, D.C . has this entry about the Monastery .

Visiting the Franciscan Monastery 

Open Daily 9 – 4:45. Blooms times by month  listed here . The architecture is always worth a visit. In season there are garden tours.    Directions here.

Franciscan Monastery by Month – Photos and Videos

Use arrows on the left and right to operate the slide show.

Click here for a video of the Monastery in May.

* All images, videos and text displayed here are the work of the independent DCGardens.com, and not the responsibility of the Franciscan Monastery.

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Exploring washington, dc & making every day an adventure, franciscan monastery of the holy land in america.

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is a Catholic monastery with gardens and catacombs

The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America was constructed as an alternative to making the long and often cost-prohibitive journey to religious sites in the Holy Land. Full-size replicas of these shrines enable visitors to the Franciscan Monastery to make a pilgrimage of sorts. Alters, chapels, crypts, and grottos are all recreated on the grounds in DC for religious and secular visitors to experience. While the church and grounds are open to the public, the monastery itself is not.

As a replica of the real thing, the Franciscan Monastery is like a Catholic theme park. The church is impressive, but the construction and artwork are lower quality than the typical ornate church. Visitors should keep in mind that this is a monastery, not a cathedral, in order to maintain appropriate expectations for what they will experience on this adventure.

Guided tours of the church take about an hour. The main benefit of taking a tour of the church instead of exploring on your own is access to the catacombs and crypts below the church. Adventurers on a tour will follow their guide down a flight of stairs to the basement. Various short passageways lead to chapels and crypts. My favorite part of the catacombs is the Chapel of Purgatory, which is designed to remind visitors of the inevitability of death and, by contrast, eternal life. The amazing mural on the right side of the altar is of Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.

The temperature of the catacombs in the Franciscan Monastery is an obvious sign that these are reproductions instead of the real thing. Unlike the cool stone that usually lines these burial places, the stones in the Franciscan Monastery are painted onto plaster. Most of the crypts are symbolic, but the monastery houses several authentic relics, including the bones of Saint Innocent. For those who enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit all year round, the Grotto of the Nativity is the last stop on the catacombs portion of the tour.

After your tour of the church and catacombs, step outside to explore the 42 acres of contemplative gardens. The lower gardens slope downwards and have additional chapels, tombs, and grottos. The walk towards the Grotto of Gethsemane is a bit more wild than the cultivated gardens that surround it, and I found it to be the most peaceful spot.

Surrounding the church and upper gardens is the Rosary Portico with chapels interspersed among the archways. The words of the Hail Mary prayer are inscribed in 150 languages throughout the different chapels. Even for the non-religious, the portico and gardens are a lovely place for quiet reflection.

The gardens are most beautiful in the spring and summer, so I recommend timing your visit to be able to see them in full bloom. The upper gardens also houses a replica of the Portiuncula, which is the church Saint Francis rebuilt in response to a religious vision and the birthplace of the Franciscan movement.

The outdoor space of the Franciscan Monastery may steal the show, but the church and catacombs are worth checking out at least once. Although all are welcome to tour the Franciscan Monastery, the guide may assume visitors share the faith and values of the Catholic church. You can learn more about the monastery by checking out  A Guide to the Franciscan Monastery Mt. Saint Sepulchre on Google Books.

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1400 Quincy St. NE

Metro Station

• Brookland-CUA ( RD )

Take the Kiss and Ride exit from the Brookland metro station. The Monastery is a 10-15 minute walk from the metro. Adventurers can also take the H6 bus from the metro to the Quincy and 14th Street stop.

Monastery tours are offered Monday to Saturday at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm

Garden tours are available April to September on Saturdays at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm

Gardens open daily from 9:00 am – 4:45 pm

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http://myfranciscan.org/

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Franciscan Monastery catacombs and garden

You don't need to leave Washington to visit the Holy Land. The Franciscan Monastery near Catholic University has been a pilgrimage destination since the early 20th century. You can tour the church (with catacombs) and also visit the replicas of sites from the Holy Land in the monastery garden.

When you come onto the Monastery grounds, take the left-hand walkway look for the sign for "Visitors Entrance." Enter there, and follow the hallway to the left. You will end up in the Tour Lobby. To visit the catacombs, you must join a tour, which will last about an hour. The last tour of the day is at 3 p.m. The monastery requests a donation of $2, which you can place in a box at the end of the tour.

You do not need to join a tour if you just want to look around the church and enjoy the gardens, which include replicas of several Holy Land sites and the Grotto of Lourdes. 

The monastery is located at 1400 Quincy Street, NE, Washington, DC, a ten-minute walk from Brookland/CUA Metro Station. There is a parking lot, as well as on-street parking in the neighborhood.

A map of the monastery church and grounds is available in PDF format by clicking  here . 

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Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Experience the holy land in dc dedicated in 1898, the franciscan monastery of the holy land in america is one of our city's most beautiful destinations..

Tour our historic church and catacombs. Explore full-size replicas of shrines of the Holy Land (our Franciscan friars have served in the Holy Land for 800 years), stroll through the cloister walk and become enchanted by the beauty of God's creation as you stroll among more than 1,000 roses, beautiful native trees and plants in our contemplative gardens. Visitors of all faiths and ages are welcome. The Franciscan Monastery is in the Brookland neighborhood near Catholic University and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Daily tours of the church and catacombs are Mon-Sat, 10 and 11 a.m., and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sundays at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tours are free (donations appreciated). Reservations are required for 6+ people. Free garden tours are offered Saturdays, April-September, 11 a.m. and noon. The monastery also holds concerts and special events, plus workshops and drop-in vegetable gardening sponsored by the volunteer Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild. Other facilities: one-person hermitages for overnight retreats, meeting rooms for up to 70 people and St. Francis Hall, a charming event space offering modern amenities and classic Renaissance architecture that accommodates 250 people. Free parking for visitors to the church, gardens and St. Francis Hall.

• Free Parking
• Multilingual Tour Guides
• Free Admission
• Guided tours available
• Motor Coach/Bus Parking
• Private Tour
• Non-Profit Organization

Additional Information

Largest capacities.

Banquet capacity: 250, Classroom capacity: 65, Reception capacity: 250

Distance to Metro

Distance to conv center, length of tour.

Less than 1 hour

Metro Station

Brookland-CUA

1400 Quincy St. NE Washington , DC 20017 United States

(202) 526-6800, [email protected].

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Franciscan Monastery Gardens

Address 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, DC 20017

Opening times All year, Daily, Open 10am to 5pm

Entrance fee Entrance free

Website Visit the Franciscan Monastery Gardens website

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No expense was spared in developing these 15 acres of lavishly planted and serene gardens surrounding the Franciscan Monastery in Northeast. Divided into two main areas, the gardens include more formal flower gardens next to the church, and more natural designs below the church with authentic replicas of Holy Land shrines. Also featured is a greenhouse with tropical plants such as hibiscus, lantanas, tiger lilies, giant caladiums and palm and banana trees.

The grounds, designed and developed over the past century since the monastery was built, are resplendent with big trees such as flowering dogwood, cherry and tulip trees, and also feature many nooks and corners with benches where visitors can enjoy a peaceful hour, as well as 15 miniature outdoor chapels.

The public is allowed to view the upper church's full-scale replicas of Holy Land shrines. In the lower church, visitors will find a replica of the Roman catacombs, which can only be seen on scheduled tours. Guided tours last about 45 minutes.

Attraction Information

• Monday through Saturday: 9am to 5pm
• Tours: Monday through Saturday: 9am to 4pm hourly; Sunday: 1pm to 4pm hourly
• Metro Stop:
• Redline to the Brookland-CUA Station
• Location: 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington DC
• Phone: 202-526-6800
• Website: www.myfranciscan.org

Header Photo: © KrS NrY

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Neighbor News

Garden tours at the historic franciscan monastery on saturdays, looking to contemplate creation and faith ponder pope francis and his encyclical tour the magnificent gardens of the franciscan monastery., susan gibbs , neighbor.

Get an insider’s tour of one of the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. Learn about the monastery’s history, the gardens and friars who designed them, and the Holy Land and Lourdes shrines.

Free tours on Saturdays, 11 a.m. and noon, are led by guides from the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild. (No tours on July 3.) Meet by the visitor center, 1400 Quincy St. NE, Washington, DC 20017; www.FMGG.org . Call 202-526-6800 to arrange a group tour.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch? Register for a user account.

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Garden Tour at The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land (Members Only)

June 4, 2022 @ 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm.

Photo courtesy of the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild.

DC Preservation League Members are invited to join us on  Saturday, June 4th at 12:00pm for an  in-person tour  of the gardens at the  Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land ,  led by Pat Cunniff of the   Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild .

Dedicated in 1899, the Franciscan Monastery and its garden are described as an “Oasis of Peace” in bustling Washington, DC by the  Washingtonian Magazine . The gardens were developed in the early 20th Century and its 42 acres include replicas of Holy Land Shrines, over 1,000 roses, beautiful azaleas, and numerous perennials and annuals.

Attendees will get the chance to see the upper and lower gardens, as well as areas behind the Monastery, including a 107-year old greenhouse used by the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild; a cemetery still in use for burial of friars; bee hives for collection of honey; a barn from the original McCeney property; a working farm run by the Garden Guild; and other shrines. The tour will also highlight the contributions of local master artisan, John Joseph Earley, to the Monastery’s landscape and design.

REGISTER HERE

Registration is required.  This is a DCPL Members-only event. Note that you need to be signed in to your Neon account in order to successfully register. Not a member?  Become one here or during registration.

COVID Safety Requirements:  The safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to us and for this reason,   DCPL policy requires that all participants be fully vaccinated .  Proof of vaccination will be required upon arrival at the event. Vaccination card or picture of card will be accepted.  

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D.C.'s Franciscan Monastery: The Complete Guide

John Greim / Getty Images

The nation's capital certainly doesn't lack for beautiful houses of worship. There's the Washington National Cathedral  and North America's largest Roman Catholic Church, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. But for another option for quiet reflection that's far off the tourist track, make a trek to spend a day at D.C.'s Franciscan Monastery .

The Franciscan Monastery in Washington is home to a thriving Franciscan community, committed to the Order of St. Francis. Visitors are invited to make a pilgrimage here to see the beautiful church and century-old garden, and even take a retreat in a hermitage.

History of the Monastery

This monastery in D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood is the U.S. headquarters of the Holy Land Franciscans, whose mission includes raising funds and awareness for ministry in the Holy Land, and who have cared for the sacred shrines of the Holy Land for 800 years.

The Franciscan Monastery's history begins in New York, where The Very Reverend Charles A. Vassani established the Commissariat of the Holy Land in 1880. Vassani dreamt of building a “Holy Land in America” by planting a Holy Sepulchre on Staten Island near the entrance to the New York harbor. He wanted to bring the Holy Land to Americans who couldn't travel abroad.

Instead, Vassani and another Holy Land Franciscan, Father Godfrey Schilling, ended up purchasing this land in D.C. in 1897. Architect Aristide Leonori undertook the project, visiting the Holy Land for inspiration. He broke ground in 1898 and the church on a hill was completed one year later.

Vissani died before he could see the realization of his dream for a place where Americans who didn't have the time, money, or health to visit the Holy Land could be inspired on U.S. soil.

What to See and Do

Experience the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land's beautiful architecture and full-size replicas of the Holy Land's shrines, including the Tomb of Christ, Ascension, and more. The outdoor Rosary Portico with its formal rose garden is beautiful, and there are more gardens to explore — including a vegetable garden where 8,000 pounds of food is grown every year to donate to parish food pantries and non-profits. There are also underground catacombs , inspired by original burial sites for early Christians in Ancient Rome and replicated here in DC.

You can visit the main church and gardens on your own, but guided tours are also available for a more complete experience. The guided tours include an introductory video, behind-the-scenes info, and access to places not visible without a guide. Hour-long guided monastery and catacomb tours begin on the hour, Monday through Saturday, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The first part of the tour covers the Upper Church, while the second part covers the Lower Church, where the catacombs are located. Walk-ins are welcome, but groups of six or more must make reservations. Note that the Lower Church is only accessible by stairs.

During the summer, there are guided garden tours at 11 a.m. and noon. every Saturday. The gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The monastery also offers retreat experiences at the hermitage , a peaceful, one-room urban retreat for one person located on the monastery's 42-acre grounds. The sleek hermitage is designed by architecture and design students from nearby Catholic University. Bed linens, towels, and cooking utensils are included. Guests are responsible for their own meals. For information and reservations, email [email protected].

Annual Events

There are special guided tours throughout the year, corresponding with holidays. For example, the Lenten Tour is available at 1 p.m. on the Fridays of Lent. There's also a specialized Stained Glass Tour at noon on November 1, the feast of All Saints. That tour honors the saints of the Franciscan Order and others who are depicted in the church’s stained glass windows, with explanations of the symbols in the window and the lives of the saints. Consult the Franciscan Monastery's calendar of events to see even more tours and programs throughout the year.

Things to Do Nearby

DC's Franciscan Monastery is located in the Northeast quadrant of Washington. Major attractions in this area include Union Station , the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, Anacostia Park, the National Arboretum and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

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Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild

• Photo Gallery
• Community Food Donation Program
• Bees and Honey
• Get Involved
• Garden Tours
• Annual Plant & Herb Sale
• Christmas Luminaria
• Easter Lilies

Plant & Herb Sale is April 20 and 21

Our annual Franciscan Monastery Plant and Herb Sale is back on April 20 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and April 21 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.). This year, we will have herbs, vegetables, Monastery-grown plants, annuals, perennials, roses, honey and more!

Plan to come early for the best selection, visit the gardens and learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild, especially our healthy monastery-grown donation program for local food pantries. Free on-site parking; credit cards accepted. Unfortunately, no dogs in the sale area.

And, if you are interested in volunteering for set up, the sale or breakdown, let Joe Bozik know at [email protected] , as soon as possible. We have details about the sale on our Facebook event page .

Easter Lily Dedications

As part of our annual tradition, lilies were provided by the franciscan monastery garden guild to decorate the monastery church for easter, with the support of donations made in honor/memory of these loved ones..

The names of the honorees also are placed at the Monastery and will be remembered in the friars’ prayers at the  Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America  at Easter.

May you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.

Volunteer with us

We offer volunteer hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No prior gardening experience needed.

For new volunteers or group inquiries: [email protected]

We are located on the 40-acre historical farm, greenhouse and apiary on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC.

1400 Quincy St., N.E. Washington, DC 20017

Public transportation: WMATA Metro Red line (Brookland station) / Bus – H6 line

• Franciscan Monastery

Just click a picture to tour any these areas of the Monastery.

Monastery Church

Calvary Shrine

Small Chapel

Upper Gardens

Around the Church

Lower Gardens

Purgatory Chapel

Bethlehem Shrine

Lourdes Grotto