Beit Lehem Haglilit

Background Information of Beit Lehem HaGalilit

Beit Lechem Haglilit is known as Bethlehem of the North. Most pilgrims and Christian tourists will make it a point to visit Bethlehem when they journey to the Holy land. Few, however, have even heard of Beit Lechem HaGlilit, Bethlehem of the Galilee.

An idyllic town adorned with beautiful European-styled stone houses, set deep into the hilly countryside of the Galilee this quaint village is very reminiscent of Provence. Interestingly, some scholars have even suggested that this town might have been the actual birthplace of Jesus, due to its proximity to Nazareth, approximately 25 minutes away.

Its European roots stem from its establishment as a farming village by Christian Templars in 1906. Over the next two and a half decades the village atracted an additional 20 Templar families. Two oterh neighboring villages, Waldheim and Arnhem also attracted a Christian german population and together the three towns became the heart of what would later be during the rise of Hitler, a resident enemy population.

The Village is wonderful to explore weekdays and on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). Most of the restaurants are opened on the weekends, and one particularly interesting stop is the Derech HaTavlinim (the Spice Farm) There you can taste a variety of different spices that are locally grown. The spring is particularly beautiful in this area with numerous varieties of flowers growing all over the surrounding valleys.

Nearby Places of Interest

Tzippori (Sephorris)-10 minutes

Nazareth - 20 minutes away

Bet Shearim-20 minutes

Tulip Winery - 15 minutes