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.
