Galilee

The Galilee 

The northern area of Israel is called the Galilee. This area lies north of Haifa and includes Tiberias to the west, which lies on the Sea of Galilee. This area is more sparsely populated than the central region of Israel and the landscape is dotted with picturesque Arab and Jewish towns. This region is home to a number of sites which are relevant to the Christian traveler in the Holy Land.  

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Nazareth

One of the most well known cities in the Galilee region is the city of Nazareth, which is where Jesus lived for most of his life. Today Nazareth is a vibrant city which is home to both Jews and Arabs. Traveling to Nazareth today, one can get the feeling for the serene countryside and peaceful landscape upon which Jesus looked as he grew from boy to man.

In Nazareth, the pilgrim may visit the Church of the Annunciation, which according to most traditions, is built over the grotto where Mary lived and where she received the news that she was to become mother to Jesus. A second holy site in Nazareth is the Church of St. Gabriel, which is built over the site of a local spring. Greek tradition states that it was here that Mary received the news of the impending birth of the Baby Jesus.

Mary's Well, which is the only natural well in Nazareth, lies 140 yards from the Church. Surrounding the traditional holy sites i s a typical Arab market which includes authentic Arab restaurants.

Sea of Galilee and Tiberias

Lying to the northeast of Nazareth is the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent a significant amount of time and performed a number of famous miracles. It was here that he walked on water and performed the miracle of the Catch of 153 fish. The lake itself is thirteen miles long and eight miles wide and is the only fresh water lake in Israel.

The resort town of Tiberias, with its plethora of accommodations and restaurants, lies on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, or the Kinneret, as it is called in Hebrew. Tiberias is an ancient town which was first built in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius, and which has been continuously inhabited since ancient times.

Following the Sea of Galilee to the South, lies the Jordan River and the traditional place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The Jordan River actually has its origin in the Northern Galilee and runs into the Sea of Galilee. From there it continues its journey southward to the Dead Sea.

Turning northward from Tiberias and climbing the hills of the Galilee, one reaches the archaeological site of Capernaum, which was visited by the Pope during his visit to the Holy Land in 1986. Capernaum is the site of an ancient village which was home to the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as Matthew. Jesus is known to have preached in the synagogue in Capernaum on Sabbaths and it was here that he performed a number of miracles, including the healing of the mother-in-law of St. Peter. A church has been built over the home of St. Peter, a place where Jesus stayed during his frequent visits to Capernaum.

Upper Galilee

To the north of Capernaum lies the upper Galilee with a number of significant archaeological sites. Here lies the ancient city of Hatzor, mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the oldest cities in the world. The area also includes the city of Safad, renowned for its kabbalists. The landscape in this area is dotted with agriculturally productive fields, including vineyards, and the roads lead up to the Golan Heights, known for the production of quality wine.

Western Galilee

Heading west towards the Mediterranean coast one arrives in the western Galilee, an area which lies along the northern coast of Israel. There are a number of Crusader fortresses here including the 12th century fortress at Yehiam. On the coast is the port of Acre, which was used as a port in ancient times. Acre is rich in history and is where crusaders arrived in the 12th century and constructed an impressive fortress, which still stands today and is visited by many tourists each year. In addition to the crusader fortress, this mixed Arab and Jewish city, is home to many antiquities and a vibrant Middle Eastern market along its shore. Haifa and the Carmel Moutains. Just south of Acre lies the city of Haifa. Haifa is one of three major ports in Israel to which many cargo and passenger ships arrive each year. Haifa is Israel's third largest city, with approximately 270,000 inhabitants, both Jewish and Arab. It is home the Bahai World Center, a UNESCO recognized religious center for the Bahai faith and home to world renowned gardens. A site of religious interest in Haifa is the cave of Elijah the Prophet, near where a Carmelite Monastery has been built. Just to the south of Haifa     lies the artist village of Ein Hod and the Carmel National Forest. Exploration of the forest has led to the discovery of Neanderthal remains in the caves and this area is known for its hiking trails. Aside from offering a rich religious experience, the Galilee region holds attraction for tourists also interested in sports and adventure. There are many hiking trails throughout the region as well as rappelling, hang gliding, rafting, dune buggies, water skiing on the Sea of Galilee and more. Also, numerous wineries dot the region, where one can taste wines grown in the same vineyards used in biblical times.

The Galilee offers the optimal combination of spirituality combined with fun and adventure.

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Related links

Galilee Travel Guide