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Sea of Galilee Boat Ancient fishing boat from the 1st century AD

On the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, an ancient fishing boat known as the Ancient Galilee Boat, also known as the Jesus Boat, was found in 1986. The remains of the boat, 27 feet (8.27 meters) long, 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) wide and 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) high, first appeared during a drought, when the waters of the Sea receded (actually a great fresh-water lake). The boat has no other connection to Jesus or his disciples besides the dating.

Exploration and discovery

Fishing brothers Moshe and Yuval Lufan found the ancient Galilee Boat’s remains in Kibbutz Ginnosar. In their quest to discover artifacts from the past of Israel, the brothers were avid amateur archaeologists. Their family had fished in the Sea of Galilee for generations, and they had always hoped to find a boat there one day. They discovered the remains of the boat being buried on the shore when the lake’s water level was reduced by drought.

It represents the type of boat that Jews’ ancestors used for fishing and transportation across Lake Galilee in the 1st century. Before now, only Roman authors, the Bible, and mosaics had provided archaeologists with insight into the construction of these types of vessels.

Christians also value the boat because it was the type of boat that Jesus and his disciples used, many of whom were fishermen. Though the Sea of Galilee Boat itself does not seem to be directly linked to Jesus or his disciples, boats of this type played a major role in Jesus’ life and ministry, and are mentioned 50 times in the Gospels.

Lednica lake in Poland has a replica of the Jesus Boat, built in Prudnik by boatbuilders from Pomerania and Franciscan Dr. Antoni Dudek.

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Zippori National Park

The city of Zippori, founded in the Hellenistic/Maccabees era by Alexander Janneus, is located on hill in the Lower Galilee half way between the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and the Mediterranean Sea. Josephus Flavius, a first century C.E. historian, described it as "the ornament of all Galilee." The city’s name may have originated from the Hebrew word “tsipor” meaning bird and highlighting the view from the top of the hill. The city may get its name from the Hebrew word "tsipor" (bird) because the view from the town gives a sense of flying. Zippori, was conquered by the Romans in 37 B.C.E but during the revolt against Rome in 66 C.E., the Jews of Zippori elected not to take arms; conversely they opened the city gates to the legions of Roman Emperor Vespasian. In return the city was saved and renamed Eirenopolis or “city of peace” as evidenced by coins minted in Zippori during that period. The city had developed into an essential site, in the Land of Israel, for Jewish religious and spiritual life during the second century. The Bar-Kohba revolt of 135 introduced an influx of jewish refugees into the Galilee who by the Third Century were the town’s majority. Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, who also redacted the Mishnah, headed and relocated the Sanhedrin (Supreme Jewish religious and Judicial body) to Zippori during the Third Century. Long after the Sanhedrin was moved to Tiberias, Zippori retained its status as an important center of Bible study and many prominent sages taught in its academies. Zippori was an important trade market for traders due to it being strategically located on and around major trade routes. Zippori National Park Zippori National Park, encompassing the ruins and archaeology findings of the ancient Roman- and Talmudic-era city of Zippori, is located in the rolling hills of Lower Galilee, west of Nazareth.

The Gilboa Nature Reserve

Located above Emek Harod and Beit Shean valleys, Gilboa Nature Reserve is situated on the slopes of a mountain. Visitors come to the Gilboa to admire the Gilboa Iris and its abundant blossoms in the spring, to walk along its beautiful hiking trails, and to admire its picturesque views. Gilboa's Olive Hotel is located on top of the Gilboa and offers views of the three valleys: Valley of the Springs, Harod Valley, and Jezreel Valley. Tel Kolila means total beauty in Arabic, the Arabic name of Mount Shaul. In fact, the mountain that stands out from the steep escarpment of the Gilboa provides a spectacular view of the surroundings. The top of the mountain has a short footpath that provides additional views of the surrounding area. About 160 meters above the valley is Givat Jonathan, named after Jonathan ben Shaul. The name Horvat Karmat comes from the Arabic name Tel al-Karam. There is a wave of stones on top of the hill in memory of the seven sons of the valley who died during the War of Independence. From prehistoric times until the Byzantine period, human settlements can be found in the area. As mentioned in the Gideon chapter, Ein Harod was north of Givat HaMorah in the valley, and the Midian camp was to the north of it (Judges 7:1, 5). Ein Jelud, at the foot of Givat Yehonan, is the Arabic name for Ma'ayan Harod, and it may preserve the sound of the original name Gilad. The remains of the small Arab village of Khirbat Umm Sarkhan, as well as Roman and Byzantine buildings, quarries, and cisterns, can be found in Horvat Ner. At the end of Horvat Ner's extension, the view is spectacular - Emek Harod, the eastern Galilee mountains, Beit Shean, the Jordan Valley, and the Wall of Gilead. Gilboa's highest peak is Mount Barkan. In the vicinity of the mountain, Gilboa Irises are in bloom. The trail descends from Mount Barkan to Emek Haneem and Tel Yosef. There are still communication channels from the War of Independence in the mountain area. In the Vanishing Valley, there is a tiny spring called Ein Hamel. Near the spring, a trough was built during the British mandate. During the British Mandate, Sergeant Moshe Rosenfeld was the commanding officer of the Shata Police Station (now a prison). Rosenfeld followed fruit thieves who belonged to the gang of Ezz a-Din Kasem and they murdered him near the spring. From the intersection of Nof Gilboa Road (Route 667) and Beit Alfa Road (Route 6666), Nahal Yitzpoor descends steeply for a short distance. A beautiful flower blooms in the stream in the spring. We regret to inform you that the extension that was used for parking near the road has been closed.

Bashert Restaurant Safed

The food at Bashert Restaurant is some of the most innovative and magical that I have ever tasted. The chef's menu combines advanced cooking methods with a twist of fine cuts of meat from the smokehouse, and the result is a variety of dishes that are simply incredible. The chicken soup with dumpling is Jewish gnocchi with shredded meat, blinches with smoked liver, and the title gem, juicy slow-smoked asado from the smokehouse and Bashert's 8-hour smoked brisket, are all must-tries. The restaurant is strictly kosher, and kosher by the Orthodox Jewish community. If you're ever in Safed, don't miss out on this dining experience of a lifetime. Address Jerusalem 35 Safed, Israel 073-231-1331

The Galilee