The entrance to the church, a single door in the south transeptthrough the crusader faadeis

found past a group of streets winding through the outer Via Dolorosa, by way of a local souq in
the Muristan. This narrow way of access to such a large structure has proven to be hazardous at
times. For example, when a fire broke out in 1840, dozens of pilgrims were trampled to death.[27]
Historically, two large, arched doors allowed access to the church. However, only the left-hand
entrance is currently accessible, as the right door has long since been bricked up. These entrances
are located in the parvis of a larger courtyard, or plaza.
Also located along the parvis are a few smaller structures and openings:

Chapel of the Franks, a blue-domed, Roman Catholic crusader chapel dedicated to Our
Lady of Sorrows, which once provided exclusive access to Calvary. The chapel marks the
10th Station of the Cross (the stripping of Jesus' garments).
A Greek Orthodox oratory and chapel, just beneath the Chapel of the Franks, dedicated to
St. Mary of Egypt.

Various entrances to Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox chapels.

A small Greek Orthodox monastery, known as Gethsemane Metoxion, located to the side
of the church.

Broken columnsonce forming part of an arcadeflank the church's front, covered in crusader
graffiti mostly consisting of crosses. In the 13th century, the tops of the columns were removed
and sent to Mecca by the Khwarezmids.
The church's bell tower is located to the left of the faade. It is currently almost half its original
size.[28]
The historic Immovable Ladder stands beneath a window on the faade.