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Nazareth is a city located in the southern Galilee region in northern Israel. It can reached from Haifa via Bus #343. Today it has a population of 77,000 most of whom are Arabs. Christians comprise 30%, muslims the remainder. In spite of the majority Muslim populaton my brief visit revolved around Christendom. It was here, Christians believe, the Virgin Mary received the Annunciation from archangle Gabriel. The Annunciation was when Mary was informed she would be giving birth to the Son of God. Some scholars believe Jesus was born here, not in Bethlehem. |
The is disagreement between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches where precisely the Annunciation occurred. Both built churches at locations based on their belief, the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. The churches are within 600 metres of each other. Not a lot of dis-agreement, it seems.
Entering the grounds of the Basilica I was immediately attracted to the cloisters where glass stained images and mosaics donated by various countries are displayed. Images of Christ, Mary and others reflect physical characteristics of the people of donating countries.
Due north of the Basilica of the Annunciation is the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. It is build over the spring where Mary was believed to be drawing water when Gabriel presented. There may have been a church there since the 4th century. However the current church dates from the mid 18th century when the Greek-Orthodox gained permission from Daher El-Omar, allowing them to rebuild.
Inside there is an small underground chapel which contains the spring. Probably built by the crusaders in the 12th century it can be accessed by descending seven steps. The walls alongside the stairs are decorated with ancient Amenian tiles.
Close to this church but outside of it is a structure called Mary's Well. This is a nonfunctioning reconstruction which was erected for Nazareth's millenium celebrations.
Returning from the Greek Orthodox Church I pass through the old market area. However it is Sunday and everything is closed. It is opened during the week from 9am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm.
During trading hours all sort of items such as such as kitchenware, vegetables, candy, spices, herbs, toys, silverware and items of clothing are sold.
The White Mosque located in the old market area is the oldest mosque in Nazareth.
I trek up to the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent.You can, if you are non-energetic, catch a bus. Buses 15, 81 or 95 stop almost in front of it. But walking allows for greater exploration.
It is so named because it houses a statue of Christ as a 16 year old. Unfortunately the basilica was closed.
But the attraction is not so much the basilica itself but the fine views overlooking Nazareth from its location on the western Nabi Sain ridge.
