Excursion «10. Christian Galilee. Nazareth»

Храм 12 Аппостолов
Храм 12 Аппостолов Ярденит Храм Благовещения Мозаика в Храме Благовещения
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Class «Tourist class»
Type Group tour
Language Russian
Visited 1 905 364 people

It is not for nothing that there is an opinion that Israel – it is a bridge connecting the past, present and future. The land, which has a long history, has preserved immortal monuments of historical heritage and uniqueness to this day, stretching them through the centuries. Visiting the holy corner of our planet, we touch the unsolved mysteries of the sacred scriptures, feeling the special energy of these places.

We invite you to make an unforgettable expedition through ancient Galilee, go to the time of Jesus Christ and follow the footsteps of his childhood and youth, plunge into the saints waters of the Jordan River and learn about the final battle between the forces of Good and Evil in the Armageddon Valley.
Galilee – this is an ancient territory on the border with Lebanon in the north of Israel, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, the Jezreel and Jordan valleys in the south and east.

Our first stop in Galilee – Nazareth, the third most important city for Christians after Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ spent his childhood and youth. According to one version, Nazareth received its name from the Hebrew word “netzer”, which means branch.
In ancient times, an agricultural settlement that served as home to only a dozen families, among whom was the holy family. Significant Christian shrine in Nazareth – this is undoubtedly the grotto of the Annunciation over which the Temple was erected. 

Church of the Annunciation. Thanks to the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helena, churches were built on the territory of the Holy Land to celebrate the main evangelical events: the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
The modern church was erected in 1969 and is the largest Catholic church in the entire Middle East.
On the lower level of the church there is the grotto where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary was located during the Annunciation. You should pay attention to the frescoes that have come down to us from the past and have miraculously preserved almost their original appearance.
Another unique feature is the frescoes, icons and images of saints, donated to the temple from almost all corners of the world.

Armageddon Valley. Don't be scared by the name, it's not the end of the world. Although  it is not destined to happen, but according to Christian tradition this event will occur at the foot of Mount Tel Megiddo. The last battle between the sons of Good and Evil, who will meet in a fierce battle.
In ancient times, being a strategically important trading and military settlement, Meggido served as the dominant city-state in Lower Galilee.

Jordan River. The most sacred waters of all Christianity, Western and Eastern, in which Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

The Jordan is 232 km long. It originates at the foot of Mount Hermon, flows through Lake Kinneret and flows into the Dead Sea. It’s amazing that the river valley was once buried in tropical forests, and hippos lived in the coastal creeks. It is mentioned repeatedly in the Old and New Testaments.Nowadays the river separates Israel and Jordan. Pilgrims and tourists from every corner of the planet come to the river to bathe in the sacred waters. From the Israeli side, ablution can be performed in the Yardenit complex.

Lake Kinneret  – Israel's source of fresh water and the country's natural reservoir, also known as the "Sea of Galilee", the local population often jokes that Israel is washed by four seas.

It is an amazing fact that Lake Kinneret is one of the lowest points on Earth (213 meters below sea level) and the lowest freshwater lake on the entire planet.
Lovers of picturesque corners of the planet will love this peaceful and calm place, where the blue surface of the water comes into contact with the hilly beige plateau of the Golan Heights.

Greek Temple of the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles and Greek Orthodox Church monastery built in the 1980s. on part of the territory of the Gospel Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Important

The Yardenit complex is temporarily closed. The object was replaced by Rob-Roy

Departure days

Departure days depend on your departure city

Promotion

Promotions depend on your departure city

Info

Conditions for order cancellation:
If a tourist cancels an excursion in less than 3 days – penalty 100%, if "No Departure Insurance" is purchased.
Money is returned only if "No Departure Insurance" is available.

Important:

  • People who are late and do not go on the excursion will not receive a refund.
  • The company is not responsible for lost items.
  • Requests for excursions for children under 5 years old are not accepted
  • Responsibility for having an individual insurance policy falls on the tourist.
  • Tourists may wait up to 30 minutes for the bus.
  • The company reserves the right to change the departure time for the excursion, which is communicated to the tourist the day before.
  • There is no indication of seats on the bus. Boarding and disembarking  carried out only in designated places.
  • Visiting holy places is permitted only in modest clothing (shoulders and knees must be covered).
  • The excursion begins after a sanitary stop, and before that there is a transfer before the start of the excursion.
  • Physical activity level: 3/5

We recommend: bring drinking water, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and comfortable shoes with you on the excursion.

The cost of trips does not include and is paid on the spot: meals, unless purchased additionally.

Attractions

Jordan River

The most sacred waters of all Christianity, western and eastern, in which Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
232 km long Jordan originates at the foot of Mount Hermon, flows through Lake Kinneret and flows into the Dead Sea. It is surprising that once the river valley was buried in tropical forests and hippos were found in coastal factories. Repeatedly mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Once the river separated the territory of the promised land, where Joshua led the wanderers after 40 years in the wilderness of the Jews.
Now the river delimits Israel and Jordan. Pilgrims and tourists from every corner of the planet come to the river to take a bath in the sacred waters. From Israel, the baptismal rite can be performed in the Yardenit complex.

Nazareth

Nazareth, is the third most important city for Christians after Jerusalem and Bethlehem, here the childhood and youth of Jesus Christ passed. Nazareth got its name from the Hebrew word "netzer" - a branch, although in modern Hebrew this word is not used to denote a branch. Nazareth was first mentioned in the Gospel.
According to archaeological excavations, there used to be an agricultural settlement, where only a few families lived, including the holy family (the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ). The significant Christian shrine in Nazareth is undoubtedly the grotto of the Annunciation, over which the Temple of the Annunciation was erected. In the vicinity of the city there are: Sepphoris National Park - the parental home of Mary, the remains of the Crusader fortress and other archaeological sites.
It is because of this that Jesus is called “ha-Nozri,” which means Nazarene.

Armageddon Valley

Do not be afraid of the name, this is not the end of the world. Although if he is destined to happen, then according to Christian tradition, this event will occur at the foot of Mount Tel Megido. It will be the last battle between the sons of Good and Evil, who converge in a fierce battle. Although there were already applicants to fight at the foot of the mountain, starting from the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III and ending with Napoleon himself.
Armageddon can be translated as - "haar Meggido" Mount Meggido.
Even in antiquity, the hill occupied a strategically important position, here trade routes passed from the ports of the Mediterranean Sea to the northeast through the Jezreel, Harod and Beit Shean valleys, to the Jordan River and beyond, and military routes. Meggido was the dominant city-state in the Lower Galilee. Over its centuries-old history, it underwent about 26 destruction, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. The hill literally stands on layers of 26 cultural layers, 60 meters high.

Temple of the Annunciation

Thanks to the Roman emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Elena,  were built churches on the territory of the Holy Land celebrating the main gospel events: the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.  According to the Christian tradition, Mary lived here exactly when the archangel Gabriel announced the good news about the birth of the messiah, thats why this place it seems to be unique.
The modern church was erected in 1969 and is the largest Catholic church in the entire Middle East. The church consists of two levels, the lower level is the grotto, where, upon giving, was Virgin Mary during the Annunciation. You should pay attention to the frescoes that have come down to us from the past and miraculously preserving their almost original appearance.
In the grotto there is a throne with a marble circle, where the message is written in Latin: "Verbum caro hic factum est" - "Here your word has become flesh."

Yardenit

As  known, Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. That is why Christians from different parts of the world want to plunge into this river, and some want to perform the rite of baptism here. For this, the government of Israel was equipped with a special complex called Yardenit. The Yardenit complex is a calm backwater at the source of the sacred Jordan River. This place is equipped with everything necessary for the convenience of visitors. There are showers, locker rooms, and pedestrian walkways that make it convenient to approach the water. In addition, on the territory of the complex there are small shops where it is possible to purchase souvenirs or cosmetics from Israel, as well as special water containers for Jordan.

No one will remain hungry, because in the complex there is a restaurant with a large selection of dishes.

Church of the Apostles

the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles is the Greek Temple of  and the monastery of the Greek Orthodox Church. According to legend, the temple stands in place of the house where the Lord healed paralysis.

Kinnereth

This is a huge freshwater lake, which is also called the Sea of Galilee. It is the main source of fresh water for the whole of Israel. Despite the small size of the Kinnereth, more than 30% of fresh water is taken from it for the needs of the country. In the Kinnereth there are many different types of fish, therefore, fishing industry is thriving here. And coastal fish restaurants are famous for cooking fish dishes according to recipes that have remained virtually unchanged since the times of Jesus Christ. On the shore of the Kinnereth you can relax greatly. Near Tiberias, there are many sanitized paid beaches. History lovers also will not remain indifferent to the sights preserved from biblical times.

Feedback (136)

Rating:
5
9
Date of excursion: 15.06.2024
, Hadera,
5

Замечательно организованная, очень познавательная и интересная экскурсия. И взрослые и дети получили огромное удовольствие. Отдельное спасибо гиду - настоящий профессионал, время распределено так грамотно, что все успели охватить самое необходимое, каждая минута была заполнена увлекательными историями, где прошлое и настоящее переплетаются в одно целое.

Date of excursion: 09.03.2024
, Kiryat Gat,
5

Спасибо гиду Александру за экскурсию в Галилею. Было интересно познавательно комфортно.

Date of excursion: 23.09.2023
, Kyiv,
5

Прекрасная хорошо организованная экскурсия. Гид Катя - выше всяких похвал. Спасибо ей и организаторам за незабываемые впечатления!

A wonderful well organized excursion. Guide Katya is beyond praise. Thanks to her and the organizers for an unforgettable experience!