West of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River is the town of Nazareth, the largest Arab city in Israel. It is the city the Holy Family lived in when they returned from Egypt. Several religious sites are here. We were able to visit Mary’s Well, the Greek and Latin churches of the Annunciation, and the caves under the Sisters of Nazareth Convent.
Mary’s Well is located in the heart of Nazareth, close to the Greek Orthodox church of St. Gabriel. According to tradition, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary at this spot to tell her she would bear the son of God.
According to archeologists, this site served as Nazareth’s main water supply from as early as the Byzantine era.The present structure is a reconstruction carried out in 2000. Water is piped from the spring, about 200 metres to the north. Water from the spring can be seen in St Gabriel’s Church, in a well-like structure in the crypt. The stonework dates from the time of the Crusaders, who also built a church on this site.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
Adjacent to Mary’s Well sits the Church of the Annunciation, St. Gabriel’s Church. The first structure on the site was likely built in the Byzantine Era .It was rebuilt during the Crusades, and the current church is from the 18th century.
From here we walked the short foot path to the Basilica of the Annunciation, a Roman Catholic church, built over a cave where tradition says Mary received the visit from the angel Gabriel.
As you can see the beauty of the church and its symbols of the Annunciation
We stayed at the Sisters of Nazareth Convent and Guest House. Under a portion of the Anglican school attached to the Convent is a cave where it is believed Mary and Joseph lived with the baby Jesus.
Below you will see some pictures of Nazareth from the Convent.
