Capernaum - The Town Of Jesus In Israel

ANCIENT CAPERNAUM - THE TOWN OF JESUS

Capernaum, the Town of Jesus, is located in northern Israel, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, was an ancient fishing village that served as the heart of Jesus Christ's ministry in Galilee and is believed to be the home of St Peter. This historically significant site features well-preserved ruins, including a synagogue, the world’s first church, residential houses, and other structures, providing a fascinating glimpse into life during the 1st century AD.

WHAT TO SEE IN CAPERNAUM

• The White Synagogue of Capernaum
• The Greek Orthodox Church of the 12 Disciples
• The Catholic Church that used to be Peters House

MODERN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CAPERNAUM

The Modern Catholic Church of Capernaum was Constructed in 1990, this octagonal church is uniquely positioned atop the archaeological excavations of what is believed to be the house of Saint Peter's mother-in-law. Supported by towering pillars and steel beams, the church overlooks the Sea of Galilee, with its design creating the illusion of “floating” above the ancient site.

The church’s glass floor is a defining feature, offering visitors a direct view of the layered history beneath. Below, one can see remnants of a pre-Byzantine-era church and a Roman-style house thought to be where Jesus healed Saint Peter’s mother-in-law. Twisting staircases lead down to these ruins, allowing a close examination of the 1st-century village where Jesus is believed to have lived and preached.

The octagonal shape of the church is particularly significant, as it is one of only three such structures found in Israel. Constructed from the black basalt stone native to Galilee and reinforced with steel, the church bridges ancient tradition with modern architectural ingenuity. This design not only preserves the sacred site but also enhances the spiritual experience for a Christian pilgrim, who can reflect on the deep historical roots of his faith while standing over the very foundations of Christianity.

Capernaum itself, a once-thriving ancient village along trade routes by the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley, holds immense religious significance. The town is believed to be where Jesus relocated after leaving Nazareth, making it a central hub for his ministry. 

According to the Gospels, many of Jesus’s miracles, including the healing of Saint Peter’s mother-in-law, the curing of a paralyzed man,a Roman centurion stationed in Capernaum approached Jesus with a request to heal his servant, took place here…specifically at Peters house.

The transformation of Peter’s house into one of the world’s first Christian pilgrim sites began as early as the 5th century when pilgrims carved crosses and prayers into the stone walls. This early devotion underscores the enduring significance of Capernaum in Christian history.

By the seventh century, Capernaum was abandoned and eventually buried in sand and silt. Its rediscovery came in the 19th century when Franciscan Catholics purchased the land from Bedouins, unveiling the ancient ruins after a deep bible study, including parts of a magnificent 4th-century AD synagogue. The site's archaeological exploration was significantly advanced in the 20th century under the leadership of Stanislao Loffreda, an Italian Franciscan priest and archaeologist. Loffreda's work was instrumental in uncovering and preserving key areas of Capernaum, including what is believed to be the house of Saint Peter. Today, the Modern Catholic Church of Capernaum serves as both a place of worship and a historical monument, attracting pilgrims from around the world who seek to connect with the deep Biblical history tied to Jesus ministry in Galilee.

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE 12 APOSTLES IN CAPERNAUM

The Church of the Twelve Apostles stands out along the Sea of Galilee with its striking pink-hued domes. This Orthodox church, completed in 1925 with donations from the Greek Orthodox community, showcases a blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean architectural styles.

Inside, the domes are decorated with vibrant blue and gold iconography, painted by Greek artists. Following Eastern Orthodox tradition, these domes sit above a stone iconostasis, a beautifully carved wall separating the sanctuary from the nave. This iconostasis, donated by Russian Orthodox Christians in 1931, is covered with intricate icons and religious scenes.

The church’s twelve domes symbolize the twelve disciples Jesus selected in this region. The Sea of Galilee was where Jesus called His first disciples, fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who would later spread His teachings across the world. This deep connection between the church and the early days of Christianity highlights the continuity of faith from Jesus’s time to today.

The Church of the Twelve Apostles attracts both visitors interested in its architecture and Eastern Orthodox pilgrims. The greek orthodox church is surrounded by peaceful stone gardens with peacocks and exotic plants, leading down to the Sea of Galilee. Here, believers can pray or cleanse their feet in the waters where Jesus once walked, connecting with the spiritual history of this sacred place.

CAPERNAUM ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE 

This white limestone synagogue with Byzantine architecture dates to the 4th-5th century AD. However, pottery and coins found below indicate an earlier synagogue once stood here, likely built in the 1st century AD during the Roman period. Scholars debate whether this earlier structure was built in the 3rd or 4th century AD.

What remains of the 5th century synagogue where Jesus preached evokes some trepidation among its visitors, because once, right here, lord Jesus Christ healed a man possessed by the devil, healed, resurrected, and worked miracles. This once-imposing building is constructed of white limestone called the Jerusalem stone, specially brought from a remote quarry. According to a biblical archaeology review, the synagogue took about a hundred years to build.

Columns, symbols/images on stones, and other architectural pieces of the synagogue can be seen from the structure's remains.

Inside the Capernaum Synagogue, On a column in the central hall appears the following three-line Greek inscription, a dedication to the person who built or donated to the synagogue.

"Herod son of Mo[ni]mos and Justus his son,

together with (his) children,

erected this column".

THE BIBLICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CAPERNAUM - GOSPEL EVENTS

As already mentioned, the city was established over 2000 years ago. In the first years of our era, it reached its highest prosperity due to its strategic location. Numerous trade routes passed through Capernaum from the shores of the Mediterranean to Syrian Damascus. During these times, Capernaum was a small fishing village.

The miracle of Capernaum refers to one of Jesus's most famous miraculous healings recorded in the New Testament Gospels.

As described in the Gospel of Mark (2:1-12), Jesus was teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum, where he lived in adulthood. Four men arrived, carrying a paralytic man on a mat who they wished for Jesus to heal. With the crowds blocking access, they lowered the paralyzed man down through a hole they made in the roof. Seeing the great faith they had in his power, Jesus told the paralytic man "Your sins are forgiven." When scribes and Pharisees began questioning his authority in their minds, Jesus then commanded the man: “Stand up, take your mat, and go home” to visibly demonstrate the claim. In Jesus’s words, the previously paralyzed man was suddenly able to stand up completely healed, confirming Jesus’ divine healing authority and forgiving power over sins and bodily disability alike through this miracle.

The healing of the paralyzed man in Capernaum is seen as a pivotal New Testament story that established Jesus’s healing abilities by curing complete paralysis. The visible miracle challenged all witnesses to recognize Jesus’ ability to forgive sins as the Son of God. The event remains famous for taking place early in Jesus's ministry years before his eventual crucifixion and resurrection, making Capernaum a site forever linked with a pivotal miracle booting off his public works.

STATE OF THE ART IN CAPERNAUM

The main area of ​​Capernaum National Park, which covers approximately 8 hectares, is located northeast of the site of the discovery of antiquities. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has prepared a special area that helps and complements the visit to Capernaum archaeological remains. The national park is part of a new 3.5 km long promenade that connects Capernaum and Ein Sheva (Tabgha).

A port was built next to the ancient monuments, which allows visitors to reach Capernaum from Tiberias and Ein Sheva. Because the water level changes frequently, the port was built to rise and fall with the water level.

An information center stand with a gift shop, toilets, a restaurant, and a diner is currently being erected in the national park. A fishing village and an artists' town are also planned, where daily life during the Second Temple period will be recreated.

Nowadays, natural and domesticated plants grow in the park, thanks to which pilgrims can walk along the paths, feeling a connection with the sacred history of this place. One of the trees that grow naturally here is Christ's thorn marmalade, which is said to be the species that made the crown of thorns that Jesus was forced to wear when he was crucified.

All antiquities here are under the protection of the Franciscan Church. The national park around the antiquity site is under the supervision of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU VISIT AROUND CAPERNAUM?

Regarding the "Village of Nahum"'s attractions, I would like to point out that the location alone is worth the time and attention of millions of tourists and believers. You gain something unexpectedly unique for your soul after visiting a city as old as this.

1)Tabgha, the location of the famous Multiplication Church where Jesus fed the 5,000 with loaves and fish.

2) Mount of the Beatitudes: This hilltop is where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount with the Eight Beatitudes. The location offers sweeping views over the northern Sea of Galilee shores.

3) Magdala/Migdal: See recently discovered ruins of a 1st century AD synagogue at this ancient site connected to Mary Magdalene. There is also an excavated harbor.

4) Jordan River Baptism site: Many pilgrims visit the Jordan River, where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

5) Tiberias: The thriving resort city of Tiberias makes a good home base for exploring Galilee Christian sites. It offers hot springs, beaches, water sports, and archaeological remains.

6) Jesus Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee: Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, the freshwater lake where Jesus and his disciples fished and sailed. The rides provide gorgeous views back onto Capernaum and the Golan Heights region.

Whether walking trails, pilgrimage sites, recreational water activities, or bases to stay, there are numerous options beyond Capernaum for fully exploring Jesus Christ ministry.

CONCLUSION

The ancient town of Capernaum in Israel is a location worth visiting on a Christian Galilee tour. It is a place of pilgrimage for millions of Christians. Here, another era will be able to make you look at your life differently, which will help you to believe and comprehend those truths that your soul does not want to accept. Take a trip to Capernaum National Park, the site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.