Christian Sites of the Galilee

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1 Day – Christian Sites of the Galilee

Traditionally, Bethlehem was Jesus birthplace and Jerusalem was the place of his crucifixion.

Despite the significance of the location of these 2 events, they were very short periods in his existence.

Jesus was raised in the sparse town of Nazareth, and for the major portion of his life he was active in Galilee, where he lived amongst the people of farming and fishing communities.

The northern banks of the Sea of Galilee were the center of his teachings which is why he was known as “Man of Galilee”.

As much of the area maintains its original appearance, it is easy to associate with the biblical events.

Synopsis

Marking Christianity’s key sites, start at Megiddo (Armageddon), then follow the footsteps of Jesus from his childhood, to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee where most of the events of the New Testament took placed.

Tour Itinerary

Visit MEGIDDO (ARMAGEDDON) – the site that played a major role in the history of the Middle East from biblical to modern times. Armageddon’s position , with a view of the Jezreel Valley, is designated as the location of the “Last Battle” according to biblical scripture.
Drive to NAZARETH, childhood home of Jesus, in the Lower Galilee . Visit the CHURCH OF ANNUNCIATION.
Stop at CANA , a nearby village where Jesus’ most famous miracle of changing water into wine, took place.
Then continue eastbound to the north shore of the Sea of Galilee – the setting for most of the occurrences in the New Testament.
Visit MAGDALA, hometown of Mary Magdalene. This was a major town and commercial center of the lake region in the first century. A hotel , that stood on the site in modern times, was purchased in 2006 by the Pontifical Institute of Notre Dame of Jerusalem wanting to make a pilgrim center in the Galilee. As they started building plans for the hotel and pilgrim center and developing the site, a first century synagogue (one out of only 7 synagogues from that period of time) was discovered . It is one of the sites that strengthens the link between Judaism, early Christianity, and Jesus preaching’s. The site is under archaeological excavation with new artifacts and information surfacing regularly , which makes it an interesting site to visit.
Stop at MT BEATITUDES, where traditionally, the famous Sermon of the Mount took place
On to TABGHA, one of the traditional locations of “feeding the multitudes”.
Nearby visit the CHURCH of PRIMACY, where Peter was designated by Jesus to succeed him.
Visit CAPERNAUM, a Jewish fisherman village of two thousand years ago, known as “His Town”.
Return in the evening.

Optional Sites

Sites on the same route and close in themes and therefore can be exchanged or added, depending on personal preferences and time constraints.

Bethsaida: an ancient fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, believed to be the origin of the 3 apostles (Peter, Andrew and Philip).
Korazim: mentioned in the New Testament as one of three towns (in addition to Bethsaida and Capernaum) that Jesus cursed because they did not heed him.
Kursi: a Christian monastery on the shore of the Sea of Galilee; traditionally the location where Jesus healed two men possessed by demons.
Zippori (Sepphoris): Main town of the Galilee during the 1st Century, and traditional birthplace of Mary.
Mt. Tavor: centre of the Jezreel Valley, traditional site of the Miracle of the Transfiguration.
Ein Dor: with archaeological artifacts that reveal the ancient way of life of the area.
Mt. Precipice (Mount of the Leap): where according to the new testament, the people of Nazareth drove Jesus away and attempted to throw him off the cliffs.
Man in the Galilee Museum: where a fishing boat during the time of Jesus, is on display.
Yardenit: the registered site of baptism for Christian pilgrims, where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee and along the Jordan Valley, all the way to the Dead Sea.