Sights in Nazareth
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Nazareth Village
If you're having trouble imagining Jesus doing anything miraculous amid the bustle of modern Nazareth, then step back 2000 years at Nazareth Village. Everyday life and commerce in a traditional Galilean village has been duly reconstructed with actors in period clothing leading tours of the working farm. Leave any nightmares of tacky olde worlde historical theme parks at the door - it's well done and worth a stop. It's a 15-minute walk due west from the basilica, just beyond Al-Wadi al-Jawani St.
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Basilica of the Annunciation
Dominating the Nazareth skyline is the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East and one of the Christian world's most holy shrines. The church is believed to stand on the site of Mary's home where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she was pregnant with the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38).
Commissioned by the Franciscan church and consecrated in 1969, architect Giovanni Muzio was told to create something 'modern, multinational and mysterious'. With its imposing dome, the church (the fifth to have stood on this spot) certainly has a modern feel. The rather weird mix of artwork, mother-and-child themed gifts donated by C…
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St Gabriel's Church
According to Greek Orthodox beliefs, the Angel Gabriel appeared before Mary while she was fetching water, not while she was home in what is now the grotto in the Roman Catholic basilica. St Gabriel's Church was built in the late 17th century on the site of earlier churches and the beautifully restored crypt at the far end contains the source of the spring supplying the nearby well. Before entering the attractive interior take a look at the ancient graffiti carved around the doorway.
The church is about 10 minutes' walk north of the Basilica of the Annunciation, one block north of where Paul VI St ends.
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El-Rais
Toward the end of the Ottoman era, local leaders such as Governor Daher el-Omar ruled the Galilee and Nazareth was in its heyday. Beautiful mansions flowered the city, many of which are still standing today. Recognisable by their red roof tiles, three arched windows and balcony, they also have richly decorated interiors, all Italian marble and colourful fresco ceilings. The house of El-Rais has 13 rooms with painted ceilings - one featuring the owner holidaying in Egypt with his wife.
Contact the tourist office (tel: 602 8219) to organise a visit.
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Chapel of Fright
Luke 4:29-30 tells of the occasion when the people of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus off the top of a hill. In the southern part of the town, the Franciscan Chapel of Fright is built on the supposed site from where Mary witnessed this event. The nearby hill is known as the 'precipice', or the Leap of the Lord. Look for the signposted gate in the wall on Paul VI St, opposite the Hotel Galilee, south of the town centre. The chapel is behind the wall, beyond St Claire's Convent.
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Mensa Christi Church
Built in 1860, the small Franciscan Mensa Christi Church contains a large slab of rock known in Latin as Mensa Christi (Table of Christ). The rock is believed to be the dining table used by Jesus and his disciples after the Resurrection. Note the graffiti from numerous pilgrims from over the centuries. It is north of the Sisters of St Charles Borramaeus Convent, near the Maronite Church and Ecumenical Christian Child Care Centre.
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Salesian Church Of Jesus the Adolescent
Built between 1906 and 1923 in the Gothic style, this is probably the most beautiful of Nazareth's many churches. Salesian Church Of Jesus the Adolescent belongs to the French Salesian Order and its attractive architecture, both inside and out, and the great views of the town below justify the 20-minute climb to get up there. If you don't want to face the 250 steps, take bus No 13.
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Greek Catholic Synagogue-Church
This unassuming Greek Catholic Synagogue-Church dates back to Crusader time. It is built on the site of a synagogue believed to be where the young Jesus regularly prayed and later preached (Luke 4:15-30). In 1887 the adjacent and rather less modest Greek Catholic Church, with its magnificent dome and two bell-towers, was added on to the old Crusader structure.
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St Joseph's Church
This church was built in 1914 and occupies the site considered to be that of Joseph's carpentry shop. This belief probably originated in the 17th century; today's church was built over the remains of a Crusader church with Romanesque influences. Down in the crypt you can see an underground cave used for grain storage in pre-Byzantine times.
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Sisters Of Nazareth Convent
This convent operates a school for deaf and blind Arab children. It also provides accommodation for travelers in its hospice and hostel. The convent boasts one of the best examples of an ancient Herodian tomb (tel: 655 4304) sealed by a rolling stone. It lies under the present courtyard and can only be viewed by appointment.
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Roman Bathhouse
The owner of the Cactus Gift Shop, Elias Shama, has excavated an almost perfectly preserved 2000-year-old Roman bathhouse which utilised water from Mary's Well. The shop runs tours for ₪120 for up to four people including coffee. It's located beside Mary's Well.
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Mary's Well
Also known as the Virgin's Fountain, Mary's Well stands in a handsome-looking plaza in front of St Gabriel's Church. Some believe that the Angel Gabriel appeared here, and the water is said to have powers of healing.
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Herodian Tomb
One of the best examples of an ancient Herodian tomb is found inside Sisters Of Nazareth Convent, sealed by a rolling stone. It lies under the present courtyard and can only be viewed by appointment.
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Alsebat Association for Heritage Preservation
A quirky Palestinian folklore museum with various agricultural and costume pieces on display. Unfortunately there are very few labels. It's located across the road from the Diwan El Lajun Theatre.
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