Israel - Day 4 - Nazareth & the Basilica of the Annunciation

After Mount Tabor we drove to the city of Nazareth.  Back in Christ's time, Nazareth was a small town with a population of about 400 people.  Now it's a large booming city.  It's hard to imagine it as a small, humble town where Mary & Joseph were from.

Luke 1:26-27

"And in the 6th month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; & the virgin's name was Mary."

The Basilica of the Annunciation is in the center of the city overlooking all of Nazareth.  This basilica was finished in 1969, over the top of SEVERAL churches/ruins over the years, the first built by Constantine proclaiming this as the location of the virgin Mary's home.  Some believe the Annunciation of Mary took place here in her home while others believe it happened at a local spring in Nazareth.  It is BEAUTIFUL.

Inside the center of the basilica, on the first floor, stands the uncovered remains of what is said to be Mary's home.  The many churches that have been built on this spot have all kept these ruins in pristine condition.

There was a small line to see the remains, but it was worth the wait.  I'm impressed these ruins remain.  The stairs are incredible in their current condition.

The only remains of Mary's home. . . this would have been the basement of her house where animals slept & the stairs are would lead up to the main living space of the home.

The basilica surrounding the remains is gorgeous.  Mary's home is on the 1st floor, but there is a full church on the 2nd floor that looks down onto Mary's home through the center of the floor.  On the 2nd floor are beautiful stain glass pictures, as well as art of the Annunciation from all over the world. We enjoyed all the Christmas trees & nativities spread around the building.

Nazareth

Just outside of the church is the excavated remains of the ancient village of Nazareth dating back to the 1st Century.  This is an active archaeology site & they are still uncovering more & more of the original town every day.  It's incredible.

After visiting the church, we walked around the city a little bit & found a fun Shawarma place for lunch.  Shawarma is pretty much döner kebap for my German friends.  We love them.  They had options of Turkey or Falafel in our kebaps.  It was all delicious, though I was a little shocked at the $20 per döner pricetag.  (In Germany these are $3-$4 each.  Israel food is VERY expensive.)

We absolutely loved the city of Nazareth.  It was beautiful.