The Sea of Galilee is not a sea but a freshwater lake in northeast Israel. At 656 ft. below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. It is fed mainly by the Jordan River which runs through it. Much of Jesus’ ministry occurred on its shores. And there are several sites to visit on the Lake.
We had a nice cruise around the Sea of Galilee as we explored the area. The heron on the branch was striking. The other picture is of the Monastery in the Hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee
Capernaum
Capernaum “The Town of Jesus” is located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the entrance to the city is a sign that reads “The Town of Jesus.” The first building you see is an octagonal church, built by the Franciscans in 1990. The Franciscans bought the land in 1894 and excavated the site before building on it. The modern church above the ancient church is supported by external pillars. The octagonal shape draws the focus to the center, where there is a glass floor, located above an ancient room that has been identified as the house of St. Peter. A statue of St. Peter stands in front of the church.
St. Peter’s Church with garden among ruins.
The Synagogue in Capernaum
North of the church are some simple basalt houses. The big white synagogue stands in contrast to the small black houses around it. The synagogue was built in the 4th or 5th century. The white limestone, as well as the ornamentation, indicate that a wealthy Jewish community thrived here in the Byzantine era.
It wasn’t until the Muslim era, in the middle of the 8th century, that Capernaum was destroyed, probably in the big earthquake of 749.
Capernaum lies close to many other important biblical sites, such as Tabgha, with the Churches of the Loaves and Fishes and the Primacy of St. Peter, and the Mount of the Beatitudes.
Tabgha
Church of theMultiplication of Loaves and Fishes
Tabgha lies on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee about two miles from Capernaum at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes. It is best known for Christ’s miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes to feed a multitude.
The modern Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha stands on the site of a 4th-century church.
The whole floor depicts flora and fauna of the area in vibrant colors. The best-known mosaic, on the floor near the altar, refers to the miracle the church commemorates. It shows a basket of loaves flanked by two Galilee mullet.
Beneath the altar is the rock on which it is believed Jesus placed the loaves and fish when he blessed them.
he blessed them.
The Primacy of St. Peter
Not far from the Loaves and Fishes Church is another church in Tabgha, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is the Franciscan Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter, built in 1933 on the site where Jesus is believed to have reinstated Peter as the head of the Apostles.
It has about a dozen seats facing an altar up front. The sign on the bare rock beneath the altar reads “Mensa Christi,” meaning “Table of Christ.” According to tradition this is where Jesus laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles. The bare rock under the altar extends under and outside the chapel wall.
In the apse, behind the rock, stands the altar and above it a colorful Greek cross. At the top of the stone arch that borders the apse is a small, round window with stained glass with a painting of a fish, and on both sides, two windows with additional stained glass.
On the southeast side of the church stands a small bell tower, and along the facade facing the Sea of Galilee is a staircase attributed to the Byzantine church that once stood on the site.
Between the church and the beach are six heart-shaped rocks fixed in the ground, which according to tradition simulate the footsteps of Jesus on the beach, next to a statue commemorating the giving of the primacy to Peter.
The modern structure incorporates parts of an earlier 4th century church. At the base of its walls, opposite the main altar, foundations of the 4th century church are visible. As the sign on the gate as you enter the space says, “This is Holy Ground.”