Nazareth, Israel (Jesus's home)

Christian Caves - Nazareth, Israel

Wayne Being Offered Breakfast 
I Accepted - Most Muslims are Generous People
- Nazareth, Israel

Basilica of the Annunciation - Nazareth, Israel

Mary's Well in St. Gabriel's Church
- Nazareth, Israel

Nazareth, Israel (Jesus’ home) (5/28/2010)

Famous for being Jesus' home town, modern Nazareth is an interesting city to visit. 


As well as being place for Christian pilgrimages, Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel (70% Muslim) and the major cultural and commercial center for Israel’s Arab community.

Our Hotel Fauzi Azurinn
- Nazareth, Israel

Staying at a special place, the Faurzi Azar Inn (see photo) in Nazareth’s Old City, made it even more special. The Faurzi Azar Inn is a renovated old Arab mansion. With good luck, we got the last room that was set up for a large family or group. We felt like special guests because it was the former master bedroom with a beautifully painted high ceiling.

Pat in St. Gabriel's Church
- Nazareth, Israel

We joined the special walking tour of Nazareth through its narrow cobblestoned streets being introduced to shop owners. Wayne was offered breakfast from some shop owners - it was good (see photo). We were taken to exclusive caves where the Christians lived under the city of Nazareth when prosecuted by the Romans and the beautiful exclusive St. George Greek Orthodox Church (see photos).

In the New Testament, Nazareth is described as the childhood home of Jesus with many shrines commemorating biblical events. We visited Nazareth’s most recognizable site and one of the Christians most holy sites, the Basilica of the Annunciation (see photo), built over Mary’s home where Christians believe the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the future birth of her son Jesus (image her surprise). Above the Basilica, the Church of the Annunciation is the largest Christian church building in the Middle East.

Nazareth, Israel

Adding to the confusion, the Eastern Orthodox Church constructed St. Gabriel's Church at an alternative site in Nazareth for the Annunciation at the site of a freshwater spring, today known as Mary's Well. Because Christians believe that Mary actually used this well (it was the only one in town at that time), the water is believed by both Christians and Muslims to have healing properties. They line up to fill their bottles (see photos).

Map of Israel

We also visited the austere Christian Synagogue Church believed to be the site of the synagogue where Jesus preached. There are also a number of mosques in Nazareth, the oldest of which is the White Mosque located in the center of Nazareth's exotic old market (Souq).

A little bit of history... Nazareth was in the territory allotted to the Arab state under the 1947 UN Partition Plan. Soon after, Nazareth capitulated to Israeli troops.

Please see our other 7 blog posts about the historic and interesting country of Israel:

Israel Dead Sea Masada

Israel Haifa Akko Acre

Israel Jerusalem Religious

Israel Jerusalem The Old City

Israel Sea of Galilee Golen Heights

Israel Tel Aviv (Capital)

Israel Zichron Yaacov Wine Country

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