Christian Nazareth Area Day Trip

Activities:

• Begin your trip at Mount Tabor

• Church of Transfiguration - According to Christian tradition, Mount Tabor, a round-shaped mount in the heart of the Jezreel Valley, is the location of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-8). Two churches, built on the ruins of earlier Byzantine and Crusader buildings on top of Mount Tabor, mark that event: the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, and the Eastern Sanctuary of the Orthodox Church.

• Mt. Precipice - Mount of Precipice is believed by many to be the site of the Rejection of Jesus described in Luke 4:29-30 - The people of Nazareth, not accepting Jesus as Messiah tried to push him from the mountain, but "he passed through the midst of them and went away.” From the top of the mount, we will look over the eastern side of the Jezreel Valley, where so many biblical stories took place - from the war of the ancient Israelites against the Canaanites (Judges 4), through the death of King Saul and his Sons on the Mount of Gilboa (Samuel 1, 31), to the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor (Mark 9:2-8). Today the Jezreel Valley is a prosperous part of Israel, with farming and urban communities alongside each other, it is still one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of the county.

• Continue to Nazareth

• Nazareth - Israel’s biggest Arab city, Nazareth is a fascinating place, set in the Lower Galilee. It combines traditional, simple Arabic charm, Christian history, and grand old Arabic architecture. Nazareth is home to many important early Christian sites, including the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s Well, and the Synagogue Church, as well as an authentic, living Arab souk (market).

• Basilica of the Annunciation - Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus, is closely associated with Christianity and attracted many pilgrims throughout the last two thousand years. Although it is not the birthplace of Jesus, it is the town where he grew up from the age of 3 (upon the return of the Holy Family from Egypt). In the time of Jesus, 1st century AD, this was a small Jewish village in the hills of the Lower Galilee. One can imagine the quiet life in Nazareth, away from the Politics of the Priests and the Rabbis of Jerusalem, amongst the simple hard-working people of the Galilee, and understand how a true leader of the people can immerge from such a peripheral community.
  
  The standout site in Nazareth is the Basilica of the Annunciation, the largest Christian church building in the Middle East. This church was dedicated in 1964 on the Papal visit of Pope Paul VI. We will also visit Mary's Well - the spring and its water are considered holy by both Muslims and Christians. Earlier generations attributed unusual healing properties to it.

• El Babour Spice Shop - Stop at El Babour Spice Store in the heart of the holy city of Nazareth, the 120-year-old, family-run mill is renowned for its range of exceptional homemade spices.

• Nazareth market - The Nazareth Market was established in the 17th century and originally its districts were divided according to themes- the Brides’ Market, the Vegetable Market, the Tinsmiths’ Market and the Carpenters’ Market were among the main ones. Today these sections remain only in memory but the market is still bustling with activity and authenticity.