Israel & Jordan 2023: Capernaum
A little over an hour's drive from Caesarea and we reached the last stop for the day, Capernaum located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. There was a surreal feeling upon landing in Capernaum. Even for a seldom Bible reader like I am, I have heard of Capernaum.
I read online (because as you know I don't listen to the tour guide most of the time) that in Biblical times Capernaum was one of the main trading villages in the area and home to about 1,500 fishermen. Many travelers and caravans and traders passed through the village.
Nowadays it is one of the historic sites that attracts tourists and pilgrims all over the world.
THE CHURCH and HOUSE OF ST. PETER
To commemorate the House of St. Peter and to continue the tradition of Christian worship, the Franciscan Friars of the Custody of the Holy Land built a very modern church directly over the archeological ruins.
Looked to me like a space ship, or some sort of a convention center. Front view.
Side view.
Built directly over the ruins.
Inside, also modern design.
A short video clip of the interiors.
Our cheeky tour guide walking all over my shot and this spectacular mosaic.
THE SYNAGOGUE
It was in Capernaum synagogue that Jesus gave the sermon of the Bread of Life - whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.
The original synagogue was destroyed and replaced in approximately 200 AD.
THE SEA OF GALILEE
Did you know that the Sea of Galilee was a lake? I did not know that. The first sight of this historic body of water was quite disappointing, because it was under a gloomy, hazy skies and the water felt cold, not lacking in warmth but lacking in personality.
The photos don't reflect my disappointment.
One of my tour mates, a young man in his 20s, ticked off a bucket list item - swim in the Sea of Galilee. He skipped the rest of the sites and met us dripping wet.
It was very peaceful looking at the water.
Eastern European pilgrims studying the Bible under this huge tree.
St. Peter status inside the compound.
I read online (because as you know I don't listen to the tour guide most of the time) that in Biblical times Capernaum was one of the main trading villages in the area and home to about 1,500 fishermen. Many travelers and caravans and traders passed through the village.
Nowadays it is one of the historic sites that attracts tourists and pilgrims all over the world.
THE CHURCH and HOUSE OF ST. PETER
To commemorate the House of St. Peter and to continue the tradition of Christian worship, the Franciscan Friars of the Custody of the Holy Land built a very modern church directly over the archeological ruins.
Looked to me like a space ship, or some sort of a convention center. Front view.
Side view.
Built directly over the ruins.
Inside, also modern design.
A short video clip of the interiors.
Our cheeky tour guide walking all over my shot and this spectacular mosaic.
THE SYNAGOGUE
It was in Capernaum synagogue that Jesus gave the sermon of the Bread of Life - whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.
The original synagogue was destroyed and replaced in approximately 200 AD.
THE SEA OF GALILEE
Did you know that the Sea of Galilee was a lake? I did not know that. The first sight of this historic body of water was quite disappointing, because it was under a gloomy, hazy skies and the water felt cold, not lacking in warmth but lacking in personality.
The photos don't reflect my disappointment.
One of my tour mates, a young man in his 20s, ticked off a bucket list item - swim in the Sea of Galilee. He skipped the rest of the sites and met us dripping wet.
It was very peaceful looking at the water.
Eastern European pilgrims studying the Bible under this huge tree.
St. Peter status inside the compound.
I like that the spaceship building kept the ruins around it.
ReplyDeleteOh! So Sea of Galilee is a 'sea' like Salton Sea? ;)
Those are some beautiful pictures of the lake.
When I was at Galilee it was gorgeous - the sky was blue and the water shimmered with light. What a difference a day makes, huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-few-photos-from-longwood-gardens.html
Beautifully captured in pictures and narration.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery interresting place. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of an interesting place.
ReplyDeleteWhen you said that a church was built over the ruins you meant that literally. I loved that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing us with images of these interesting sites.
ReplyDelete