Tourism Development in Preparation for the
International Festivities in Nazareth in the year 2000

Nazareth is in the central area of galilee and is surrounded by numerous sites of international historical and archeological importance, such as Cana of Galilee, Sephoris, Mount Tabor, the Mount of the Precipice, Tiberias, Capernaum amongst others.

The Announciation is considered to be most important event marking the beginning of Christianity and Nazareth is also the place where Jesus spent most years of his life on earth. The city has many historical sites related to these facts; the cave ehich was Mary's house and work shop of joseph the carpenter, the Basillica of the Annunciation - one of the biggest churches in the Middle East - and the church and carpentry complex of St Joseph; Mary's Well, St Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church of annunciation; the city of the ancient synaagogue and the Greek Catholic Church; Mensa Christi (Jesus's Table) anf other sites connected with events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Nazareth also has its mosques, the most important of which is the ancient White Mosque in the Old City.

The Old City, with its ancient and traditional stone buildings, is an important international treasure of architecture - a mix of Middle Eastern styles beloanging to different eras. The centrepiece, the historical Suq (Market), was the commecial heart of old City and included workshops for traditional artisanal crafts, and in now being restored to its former glory.

Architectural digging in the caves of the Mount of the Precipice has revealed important archeological finds, including mouments ehich date back to the first Stone Age: they include complete skeletons which resulted in great excitement when discovered.

Nazareth as a city:
Because of its historical and religious importance, Nazareth has always been a touristic city, particularly for the pilgrims and Christian visitors from all parts of the world. Approximately 50% of all the tourists who come to Israel visit Nazareth - about amillion tourists a year.

Unfortunately Nazareth has not had the care and support to match its religious and historical value and its development has therefore been limited. The city is still suffering from acute problems in all fields
and so while the touristic potential of Nazareth is immense, it has not been effectively realised.

The idea of the project emerged naturally from the historical importance of Nazareth and its relation to the first event in Christianity, which incidentally led to the introduction of the Gregorian calendar.

The project aims to develop the city and its environs in all areas - infrastructure, traffic systems, restoration of the Old City, tiurist paths. historical and archeological research, museums, public buildings and apces, the environment and the face of the city. The Project also aims to prepare the city for its Millennium celebrations.

The Project has been officially recognised by the Government of Israel and has been promoted to 'Development Zone A' status for tourism, which provides approved investment in such aspects as hotels and tourist attraction projects. Nazareth is intitled to a 29% contribution by government to certain of these investments and in addition attracts special loans, grants and tax incentives for third party investment projects