Safed and the Galilee

Mountainous, green and fertile, the region of Galilee is one of the most scenic in Israel and played a pivotal role in the early years of Christianity and Jewish mysticism. Considered one of Israel’s four most holy Jewish cities, the hilltop town of Safed is a picturesque artists’ colony with medieval stone streets. It is an important centre for the mystical Kabbalists. Nearby, Tiberias, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Yam Kinneret), is another important Jewish centre.

A short distance up the coast, at Capernaum, Tabgha, and the Mount of Beatitudes, are several sites associated with the early ministry of Jesus – including the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Galilee was home to Jesus for much of his life, and it was at Nazareth that the Virgin Mary received the Annunciation from the angel Gabriel. The Romans left their mark at Bait She’an, Khamat Gader, Kibbutz Beit Alfa and Tzipori (Sepphoris). The latter site is noted for its magnificent mosaics and was called the ornament of all Galilee by Josephus.

Galilee is also home to several Crusader sites, including the magnificently situated fortress of the Knights Hospitaller at Belvoir. In the Lower Galilee, at the Horns of Hattin, Saladin’s army dealt the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem its death knell in July 1187. Myriad outdoor pursuits, including hiking, kayaking and rafting, are another reason to visit Galilee, while wine tasting, small cheese-making factories, and a sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee are other undeniable pleasures.