Biblical sites North of Israel

Basilica of the Annunciation

Located in Nazareth (Galilee), 100 km from Tel Aviv.

Nazareth is the hometown of the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. Here is the Basilica of the Annunciation. This relatively new basilica is located on the site of other basilicas preceding it, and it marks the place where, according to tradition, the proclamation by the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the future birth of Jesus Christ took place.

Not far from Nazareth there are other sights most important for Christianity that are easily accessible to all who wish to visit, among them the Church of St. George the Victorious in Akko (40 km), Tabgha (Lake Kinneret – 30 km), Kasr al-Yahud (the site of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist – 30 km) and Capernaum (30 km).

Qasr al-Yahud (the site of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist)
Located on the banks of the Jordan River, 100 km east of Tel Aviv.

Located on the banks of the Jordan River in the territory of Judea and Samaria, Qasr al-Yahud (which in Arabic means “Jewish castle”) is a place which, according to the New Testament (Matthew 3: 13-17), is revered as a place of baptism Jesus by John the Baptist.

This place is part of a larger structure, part of which is located on the Jordanian side of the river. Access to Qasr al-Yahud is not always possible and today, many pilgrims visit the Yardenit baptism site, located on the southern shore of Lake Kinneret, where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea.

Capernaum

Located on the northwest coast of Lake Kinneret, about 150 km from Tel Aviv. Capernaum was the center for the preaching of Jesus in the Galilee.

It was here that he drove out unclean spirits from one of the parishioners with whom he preached. Being at that time a small fishing village with a population of about 1,500 people, Capernaum is mentioned in all the Gospels and is the site of many miracles performed by Jesus.

Today, Capernaum (in Hebrew: “Kfar Nachum”) is a national park (free entry) where you can see some remains of archaeological sites, including the ruins of an ancient church and synagogue.

Of particular interest are the ruins of what is considered the home of St. Peter the Apostle.

This area is rich in many Christian places, but we especially recommend that you take a walk along the promenade, stretching for 3.5 km to the south, and connecting Capernaum with Tabgha (Ein Sheva).

Tabgha (Ein Sheva)

Located on the northwest coast of Lake Kinneret, about 150 km from Tel Aviv.

Just 3.5 km south of Capernaum, Tabgha is the place where Jesus Christ fed five thousand people with five slices of bread and two fish.

The place is known by the Church of the Multiplication of Breads and Fishes, as well as the fourth miracle of Jesus, after which he prepared a meal for his followers (Gospel of John 21: 1-24).

Nearby is the Church of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered a sermon on Mount of Beatitudes. Church of the primacy of the Apostle Peter, where Jesus restored the apostle Peter in the apostolic rank and Tabgha Pilgerhaus, which is a place of refuge for Christian pilgrims.

Church of St. George (Victorious)

Located in the fishing port of the Mediterranean Sea of Acre, between Haifa and Nahariya in the north, and about 150 km north of Tel Aviv.

The Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox church and is considered the first Christian church built in Acre during the Turkish (Ottoman) rule. The church was built in honor of St. George, a Christian saint of the early times, who died in 304 CE.

Other interesting churches worth visiting in Acre include St. Andrew’s Church, St. Francis Church, Maronite Church, and John the Baptist Church.

Church of St. Andrew

Located in the old city of Acre, surrounded by a fortified wall, at a distance of about 25 km north of Haifa, we find the Church of St. Andrew.

The Greek Orthodox Church occupies a building, which, according to various estimates, was built back in 1765.

According to the church tradition, named after one of the 12 apostles, it is located on the site of an ancient crusader church, which, in turn, is based on the site of an even more ancient synagogue that once existed there.

The interior of the church includes thick stone pillars and a decorated wall containing many colorful icons and paintings on religious themes. The church also has a second floor, the restoration and renovation of which is planned for the near future. The church also includes an amazing bell tower towering above the surrounding roofs. It is possible to see the original bell in the courtyard in front of the tower.

Other interesting churches worth visiting in Acre include St. Andrew’s Church, St. Francis Church, Maronite Church, and John the Baptist Church.

Church of St. Joseph

Located in Nazareth (Galilee) 100 km Tel Aviv.

The Church of St. Joseph, located not far from the Basilica of the Annunciation, is also known as the “Church of the Nutrition,” because it is built above the house, commonly known as the house in which Jesus Christ lived and grew up with his family, learning the craft of his father.

Under the church is a cave, which was used during the reign of the Roman Empire to store food and water.

During the period of the Byzantine Empire, after the place began to be related to Jesus, the church served as a point of worship and baptism. The Crusader Church was built on this site in the 12th century.

After the destruction by Muslims in 1263 CE, a new church was built in 1745, and extensively restored in 1914.

Of particular interest, along with the magnificent frescoes, are the seven-step baptismal font. The significance of the steps is that they symbolize the steps to faith – which is especially striking, since baptismal ceremonies could be held here even before the first church was built.

Not far from Nazareth there are other sights most important for Christianity, easily accessible to everyone and worth visiting, such as the Church of St. George the Victorious in Akko (40 km), Tabgha (Lake Kinneret – 30 km), Kasr al-Yahud (the baptismal site of Jesus by John the Baptist – 30 km) and Capernaum (30 km).

Naim

Located near Mount Tavor in the Galilee region, just 114 km from Tel Aviv. Naim (also has the option “Nain”) is one of the least visited holy places.

According to scriptures dating back to the 4th century CE, Naim is the place where Jesus resurrected her dead son in the widow’s house, and is reunited with his grieving mother. This episode is referred to in the Gospel of Luke (7: 7-17).

Early Christian tombs carved with hard stone were found in this area, and the church was first built by the crusaders in 1100 CE.

The current church was built by Franciscan monks, despite protests from the local population in 1880 CE.

Many of the holy places for Christians located in the Galilee are accessible to all comers, and in particular Nazareth, located only 20 km to the east and Tiberias, 30 km to the north-west.

Nearby, on the top of Mount Tavor are the Transfiguration Monastery and the Franciscan Monastery, the latter of which is considered one of the most magnificent temples in Israel.

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