Places of Interest in Nazareth
Galilee travel guide1. BASILICA OF THE ANNUNCIATION, CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH CARPENTRY COMPLEX
Imposing modern two storey Basilica, erected over earlier Byzantine & Crusader church, marks the traditional Roman Catholic site of the Annunciation. The interior enshrines the sunken Grotto of the Annunciation – actual remains of the 1st century maiden home of Mary.
2. CHURCH OF STJOSEPH’S CARPENTRY
Situated in the same complex as the Basilica of the Annunciation. Traditionally the original workshop of Joseph and Home of the Holy Family, it contains ruins of 1st century Nazareth.
3. SISTERS OF NAZARETH CONVENT
Close to Annunciation complex, housing Youth Hostel and religious hospice, with 1st century excavations including Herodian Tomb (by appointment only).
4. ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE & GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH
Within the marketplace is a humble structure of thick, curved stone walls (known as the Synagogue Church) that is the site of the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached as a young man. It stands adjacent to the Greek Catholic church.
5. THE WHITE MOSQUE – EL ABYAD
The El Abyad mosque , situated at the edge of the Old Market, was the first to be built in Nazareth in 1812.
6. ANGLICAN CHURCH (Jesus’ Church)
Designed in the shape of the cross this was the second Anglican church to be built in the Holy-land. Completed 1871.
7. SOURCE OF MARY’S WELL st. GABRIEL GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION
The crypt of this ornate 18th century church houses a 1st century spring of water believed to be the source of Mary’s Well. The spring is connected to the site of the Well by an underground aqueduct.
8. MARY’S WELL
Opposite the St. Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church a modern stone structure in a small garden setting marks the site of Mary’s Well.
9. St. MARGARET (Hospice)
Anglican orphanage for girls, built in 1874 by Prussian architect.
10. MASCOBIA
Russian hospice for pilgrims, built in 1904 by the Russian Duke Sergio, near St. Gabriel Church – influenced by Russian Architecture.
11. GREEK ORTHODOX BISHOPRIC
The house of the Bishop, built in 1860 and includes small church completed in 1863.
12. SARAYA
The governor house -erected in 1 730 as summer house of the Galilee Governor Daher El-Omar – some addition had been done in 1857. (There is a plan to restore it to be as a Museum).
13. MARONITE CHURCH
Also known as the Church of St. Anthony, and situated next to Mensa Christi, was completed in 1774.
14. MENSA CHRISTI (Jesus’ Table)
Known as Kniset El-Balta (Jesus’s table). Here is said that christ dined with his disciples. This church houses a large chalk-stone rock scored with graffiti by countless pilgrims throughout the ages. It was erected in 1860 and belong to the Franciscans.
15. SALESIAN CHURCH OF JESUS AS AN ADOLESCENT
Magnificent panoramic view from its site on the peak of the hill. Fine example of modern Gothic architecture.
16. MAQAM NABI SA’IN
Shrine erected in the highest point of Nazareth, sacred to both Moslems and Christian were they use to vow.
17. THE OLD MARKET
A bustling, colorful Middle Eastern bazaar near the Annunciation complex.
18. KAHN EL-BASHA
The Pasha caravanserai, the most important in the city for many centuries, renovated in 1812 by Abdullah Pasha and is part of the White Mosque trust.
19. MAQAM SHIHAB EL-DIN
Domed tomb shrine of a Moslem leader – the nephew of Saladin, after the Crusaders.
20. MAQAM EL-SHIEKH AMER
Domed Shrine of the brother of Shihab El-Din, rennovatedin 1911.
21. CARMELITE CONVENT
22. FRERES DE BETHARRAM MONASTERY
Once known as the White Monks.
23. FRENCH HOSPITAL
Interesting architecture.
24. DON GUANELLA
25. EL SALAM MOSQUE
A modern, impressive mosque built in the 1960’s.
26. COPTIC CHURCH
Erected by the small Coptic community of Nazareth in 1952.
27. BAPTIST CHURCH
28. HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL
On the outskirts of the city, interesting architecture with imposing statue of the Virgin Mary nearby.
29. ST, JOSEPH’S SEMINARY
30. SISTERS OF THE ANNUNCIATION (BISHARA NUNS)
Noted for the painting of religious icons.
31. NAZARETH HOSPITAL (E.M.M.S)
32. KASER EL-MUTRAN
Greek Orthodox Church, built in the place where according to their tradition is the place of the lady’s Fright. It was erected in 1862 with the money of a rich Russian woman.
33. THE MOUNT OF THE LEAP OF THE LORD (Mount of Precipice)
2 km. outside the city, where according to legend the people of Nazareth attempted to throw Jesus into the abyss. Site of the Cave of the Leap – one of the most important archeological discoveries in the world, dating back 50,000 years – to the Late and Middle Stone Age periods. 13 human skeletons and over 15,000 artifacts from these Stone Age periods were unearthed. The Nazareth Municipality is now undertaking a massive project to develop this Mount into a major tourist site.
34. ST. CLAIRE’S CONVENT
35. SALESIAN SISTERS
36. HAMMAM (Turkish Bath)
Erected behind Mary’s Well in 1887 by Tanous Qa’war, the first Mayor of Nazareth.
38. LITTLE SISTERS OF JESUS
