Capernaum

Sea of Galilee Tour

Do you want to visit a village where Jesus once lived; prayed, and performed extraordinary miracles? Do you want to stroll down the streets he once walked and sit on the stone benches where he once sat? Capernaum, nicknamed Jesus’ Town; is an ancient biblical village extremely important to Christians that you can visit today! Long ago, Capernaum was just a trading village home to chiefly fishermen.



Many travelers passed through the town on the Via Maris, but that is not why the village became famous. Capernaum became a vital element in religious history as it was where Jesus called home. Located in Galilee, near the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha; lies Kfar Nahum. In Arabic as “Talhum,” Kfar Nahum stands where the ancient village of Capernaum once was long ago and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists to its streets each year to revel in the fantastic history and religious significance the town holds. 

Capernaum Became Known as Jesus Own Town

So Capernaum became known as Jesus’ Town because it was his anchor location for all his activity on the Sea of Galilee. It was near here that Jesus found five of his apostles and archaeologists uncovered an early Christian home; which they believe belonged to Peter’s mother-in-law. It is said that in this home, Jesus cured her of great illness.

Other extraordinary miracles happened within these four walls; including the story of a paralyzed man being lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus. Later, this home was reconstructed as a religious site; and today a church hovers over the ruins. This location isn’t the only reason why Capernaum is so famous; in addition to here, the ancient synagogue plays an important role in Jesus’ Town. 



So Capernaum has the largest synagogue from antiquity ever found in Israel at two stories high and the ability to hold hundreds of worshippers; archaeologists were surprised at its size, given that it wasn’t a densely populated area. This synagogue, the White Synagogue; dates back to the Byzantine era, so you may be thinking, “But that was after the time of Jesus!” You are correct, but it turns out that the White Synagogue was built on top of another smaller black synagogue that dates back perfectly to the time of Jesus.

You can look down to the older synagogue below and see the door where Jesus would have walked through to attend the service in a corner of the White Synagogue. It was here that it is believed that Jesus gave sermons, cast a demon out of a possessed man, cured a servant of palsy, and even rose the daughter of Jairus from the dead! All that in the astonishing site of Capernaum!



apt-stamp-white@2x
arik-about

Hi! My name is Arik Haglili, an Israeli native who decided to dedicate his life to share my knowledge about the Holy Land to those that are interested to know more about this amazing piece of land. My career as a private tour guide started at the International School For the Studying of the Holocaust and the rest is history.

Did you know the Hoopoe is Israel's national bird?! For more cool info about Israel, join our ever growing community and get exclusive travel tips, and giveaways!

Tabgha

RELATED POSTS

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is the smallest quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Quarter forms one of four quarters today in the Old City.

Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

To begin with, the Rosh Hanikra grottoes are a spectacular geologic formation of cavernous tunnels carved out by the Mediterranean Sea in the Western Galilee. ...

Rachel’s Tomb

Rachel's Tomb is identified as the site where Rachel was buried. It is considered a sacred place in the eyes of Jews; Christians and Muslims.

Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve

Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is a park that has restored once locally extinct animals back into the region. For nature lovers, it's a must!

Alexander Stream National Park

The Alexander Stream is one of the most important and beautiful waterways in the Sharon region. A genuine nature reserve you should visit!

Masada Museum

Masada is a mountaintop fortress located in the Judean Desert, near the Dead Sea in Israel. It was built by King Herod the Great during ...

Bar’am National Park

In Bar'am National Park, lies one of Israel's oldest synagogue ruins. Dating to the times of the Mishnah! Come and get some of its mystics!

Chapel of the Ascension

The Chapel of the Ascension is a shrine on top of Mt. Olives. It's believed to be the earthly spot where Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Hasmonean Royal Winter Palaces

The Hasmonean royal winter palaces are a complex of Hasmonean and Herodian buildings from the Second Temple period, discovered in Jericho

Gorny Convent – Moscovia Monastery

The Russian Orthodox Gorny Convent, also known as the Moscovia Monastery, is a unique and historic religious site in Jerusalem's heart.

Need help?