Visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land!
Discover a different D.C.! The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America has been named one of the Top 5 places most tourists miss when sightseeing in Washington, D.C. We invite you to take a break from the museums, monuments, and memorials and make a “pilgrimage” to the Franciscan Monastery to take in the beauty of our gardens, find peace in the Monastery church and among the replicas of Holy Land shrines, attend a concert or event, or learn about the Franciscans’ work in the Holy Land. This is a free attraction that is easily seen by foot, and it’s one of the best natural views in the district!
Enjoy the outdoors and God’s creation by walking the recreation trail through our century-old gardens with replicas of sacred shrines, roses and many native plants; you can also volunteer in our vegetable garden.
If you cannot visit the Monastery, we encourage you to take our virtual tour. Use our interactive map to see photos and videos from the inside of the church.
Take time away to hear God speaking to you during a personal retreat in one of our two hermitages.
We welcome schools, parishes and other groups for tours, stations of the cross, retreats and other family-friendly activities.
The Franciscan Monastery has a range of meeting spaces with wifi and videoconferencing, as well as the beautiful event space, St. Francis Hall, which accommodates up to 250 people.
Guided Tours
The catacombs and lower church remain closed except for guided tours on Sundays and special Marian tours. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the main church and gardens on their own. Self-guided tour brochures for the upper church and gardens will be available in the lobby of the Visitors Entrance.
Special tours, such as Marian Tours and Saints in Stained Glass on Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) are offered periodically and listed on the calendar.
Please note that two weeks’ notice is required to schedule tours.
Church and Catacomb Guided Tour
For the time being, limited guided tours of the church and its Mount Calvary and Holy Sepulchre shrines, plus the catacombs, Purgatory Chapel and Visitation and Nativity grottoes (lower level of the Church) are available only at the following times:
- Sundays: 10 a.m., 12 noon
Tours are by reservation only and limited to a maximum of 30 people.
Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the Upper Church and Gardens daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Mondays thru Saturdays. Please note that the catacombs and lower church are only accessible on the scheduled guided tours.
Learn more here
Special Guided Tours:
Marian Tour
This tour is called the Franciscan Crown Tour with Lourdes and is offered on Marian Feast days. (Marian Tours are not offered if the feast day falls on a Sunday).
These Special Tours are by reservation only (maximum of 30 people) and will be held at 1 p.m. on the following dates:
2021
September 8 (Wednesday) – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 15 (Wednesday) – Our Lady of Sorrows – Seven Sorrows Tour
October 7 (Thursday) Our Lady of the Rosary
December 8 (Wednesday) – Immaculate Conception
December 10 (Friday) – Our Lady of Loreto
2022
February 2 (Wednesday) – Presentation of the Lord
February 11 (Friday) – Our Lady of Lourdes
March 25 (Friday) – Annunciation
May 13 (Friday) – Our Lady of Fatima
May 31 (Tuesday) – Visitation
June 6th (Monday) – The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
June 25th (Saturday) – The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
July 16 (Saturday) – Our Lady of Mount Carmel
August 15 (Monday) – Assumption
August 22 (Monday) – Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 8 (Thursday) – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 12 (Monday) – The Most Holy Name of Mary
September 15 (Thursday) – Our Lady of Sorrows – Seven Sorrows Tour
October 7 (Friday) – Our Lady of the Rosary
November 21 (Monday) – Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8 (Wednesday) – Immaculate Conception
Stained Glass Tour
This specialized tour is given at noon on November 1, the feast of All Saints, to honor the saints of the Franciscan Order and others who are depicted in the church’s stained-glass windows. Among the saints are St. Francis, St. Bonaventure, St. Clare, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Explanations are given of the symbols in the windows as well as a short synopsis of the life of the saints.
Garden Tours
Garden Tours
Docents from our volunteer Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild offer free tours of the gardens on Saturdays from April to September.
You will learn about the history, architecture, plants and friars as you explore the formal upper garden, more natural lower garden and the vegetable garden and bee apiaries behind the monastery.
Tour Times
Guided Garden Tours are every Saturday during the summer.
11 a.m. & 12 p.m.
Viewing Hours
Gardens are open daily to the public.
9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
We would love for you to visit, but go ahead and start with our virtual tour!
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of Washington, D.C.’s hidden treasures. It stands as an Oasis of Peace in the middle of bustling Washington. It is at once a house of worship, an architectural marvel and a sprawling expanse of gardens.
If you cannot visit the Monastery, we encourage you to take our virtual tour. Use our interactive map to see photos and videos from the inside of the church.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the time being, tours are available on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
At this time, we are unable to provide tours in Spanish.
There are a number of restaurants nearby including the establishments listed below. Check the individual websites for menu, prices and other details:
San Antonio Bar and Grill.3908 12th Street NE, 202-832-8080. This is the closest restaurant to the Monastery. It is located on 12th Street between Randolph St and Quincy St. There is free parking next to the restaurant. (Go down 14th Street to Randolph Street and turn left. Follow Randolph Street two blocks to 12th Street and turn left again. The restaurant is on the right.) There are large private sitting areas in this restaurant for groups but you should book in advance. http://www.sabarandgrill.com/
Smith Public Trust, 3514 12th Street NE, 202-733-5834. Go down Quincy Street to 12th Street. Turn left and follow 12th Street for about 4 blocks. This restaurant is on 12th Street between Newton and Monroe Streets.
Brookland’s Finest. 3126 12th Street NE, 202-633-0050. Parking is available on side streets. Go down Quincy Street to 12th Street, turn left and follow 12th Street beyond St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. http://www.brooklandsfinest.com/
Busboys and Poets. 625 Monroe St NE, 301-779-2787. Go down Quincy Street and make a left on 12th Street. Go several blocks and make a right on Monroe St. Go over the bridge and Busboys and Poets will be on your left just before Monroe ends at Michigan Avenue. https://www.busboysandpoets.com/
Cafeteria at The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Michigan Avenue and Harewood Road, NE. The Basilica cafeteria offers special menus for large groups who wish to incorporate breakfast or lunch into their visit, including boxed lunches to-go. Arrangements for these meals require prior notice. Please contact Visitor Services at visitorservices@bnsic.org. From the Monastery, go down Quincy Street past 12th Street to Michigan Avenue. Turn left on Michigan Avenue, go over the bridge, and past Catholic University Campus. You can drive up to the front of the Basilica and let people off and then park free in the big lot off Harewood Road.
Currently the maximum number of people allowed on a guided tour is 30.
The Brookland Metro stop on the Red Line is several blocks away. From there, the H6 Fort Lincoln bus will take you directly in front of our building.
Unfortunately, The Franciscan Monastery does not have guest accommodations. We encourage visitors to stay at area hotels, in College Park or, by Metro, downtown Silver Spring.
Housing for Priests/Consecrated Religious
Rooms are available in our friary for priests and male consecrated religious who are studying at CUA and other religious schools of higher learning. Please contact us at mail@myfranciscan.com for details.
Hermitage
Our on-site hermitage is intended solely for use a a spiritual solace and reconnecting with God. If you are seeking a personal retreat experience, you can learn more about the hermitage here or contact us at hermitage@myfranciscan.com to schedule your retreat.
Please note that the sole purpose of the Hermitage is for spiritual solace and reconnecting with God. Use of the lodgings for the sole purpose of accommodations is not in keeping with this purpose and mission.