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The Basilica of the Annunciation - Nazareth
The Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the spot where Gabriel appeared to Mary, was completed in 1969. It is the fifth church built on the spot. It incorporates the cave in which Mary received the news from Gabriel. It is topped with a uniquely shaped concrete dome 55 metres high. Its shape is based on the Madonna lily. The upper church is decorated with mosaics of Mary donated by communities from around the world. Basilica of the Annunciation Bible Walks - Basilica of the Annunciation See the Holy Land - Basilica of the Annunciation The story of the Annunciation for kids |
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The Church of St. Joseph - Nazareth
The Church of St. Joseph is believed to be built over the carpentry workshop of Joseph. It is found beside the Basilica of the Annunciation. The Church of St. Joseph was built over a cave system. Bible Walks - Church of St. Joseph See the Holy Land - Church of St. Joseph St. Joseph Biography - St. Joseph |
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Ein Karem - The Church of the Visitation
The architect Barluzzi designed the Church of the Visitation on the site of the home of Elizabeth and Zacharias. It was built in 1935. In the church courtyard, one wall is covered with ceramic tiles bearing the words of the Magnificat in 42 languages. Sacred Destinations - Church of the Visitation Bible Walks - Church of the Visitation The Visitation of Mary The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth The Magnificat Magnificat activity |
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Church of John the Baptist
The Church of John the Baptist was built over the birthplace of St. John. Bible Walks - St. John John the Baptist John the Baptist activities |
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Shepherds' Field
East of Bethlehem, in the village of Beit Sahur, is the Shepherds' Field where the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Jesus. Sacred Destinations - Shepherds' Field See the Holy Land - Shepherds' Field See Christmas pages for activities |
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Church of the Nativity - Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is a major Christian holy site, as it marks the traditional place of Christ's birth. It is also one of the oldest surviving churches. In 1852, shared custody of the church was granted to the Roman Catholic, Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches. The Grotto of the Nativity is a rectangular cavern beneath the church. This is the cave that has been honoured as the site of Christ's birth since at least the 2nd century. A silver star in the floor marks the spot where Christ is believed to have been born. Sacred Destinations - Church of the Nativity 3D tour of the Church of the Nativity See Christmas pages for activities |
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Tabgha - Church of the Multiplication
The church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes is a church in Tabgha on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is where it is believed that the Miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 happened. Sacred Destinations - Tabgha See the Holy Land - Tabgha Jesus feeds the 5000 Sermon for Kids - Feeding of the 5000 |
Cana
The Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana has a museum with artefacts from the site of Jesus' first miracle including one of the jars used for the miracle. See the Holy Land - Cana Sacred Destinations - Cana Catholic Toolbox - Wedding at Cana Water into Wine |
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Mount Tabor
Mount Tabor is a hill rising 500 metres above the Jezreel Valley in Galilee. Christians have identified a rock atop Mount Tabor as the place of the Transfiguration of Christ. There is a large church with chapels dedicated to Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Bible Places - Mount Tabor Bible Walks - Tabor Sacred Destinations - Mount Tabor The Transfiguration Catholic Mom - Transfiguration |
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Capernaum
Capernaum is an ancient fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is where Jesus healed a paralytic and Peter's mother in law. It was Jesus' main base during his Galilean ministry. Jesus met his first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew, all fishermen who worked on the Sea of Galilee, here. There is an octagonal shaped church built over the house of St. Peter. Bible Places - Capernaum Bible Walks - Capernaum Sacred Destinations - Capernaum |
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The Church of St. Peter's Primacy
This chapel marks the place where Jesus appeared for the third time after His death. Jesus appointed Simon Peter to the office of the Primacy. The chapel is situated on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Sacred Destinations - Church of St. Peter's Primacy |
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The Church of the Beatitudes
Located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes is the traditional site of the sermon on the Mount. The Church of the Beatitudes is octagonal in shape representing the eight beatitudes, one of which is inscribed on each wall. The church is set in beautiful gardens. Sacred Destinations - Church of the Beatitudes See the Holy Land - Mount of Beatitudes Beatitudes Sermon on the Mount Catholic Toolbox - Beatitudes |
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Yardenit - Jordan River
Yardenit is at the south end of the Sea of Galilee. The water flows into the Jordan river, eventually flowing into the Dead Sea. This site is believed to be the site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Bible Walks - Yardenit This is Galilee Jesus is Baptised |
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Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake of Israel. Much of the ministry of Jesus occurred on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Bible Places - Sea of Galilee Go Israel - Sea of Galilee Jesus and the Sea of Galilee The Twelve Disciples Jesus helps catch fish Jesus appears to his Disciples Breakfast by the Lake |
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Mount of Temptation
The Mount of Temptation is regarded as the mountain on which Jesus was tempted by the devil during his 40 day fast. It is situated 5km northwest of Jericho. See the Holy Land - Mount of Temptation Resisting Temptation - Sermons 4 Kids Temptation of Jesus - Catholic Toolbox The Temptation of Jesus - Catholic Mom |
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Jericho
Jericho is a small city 55 kms from Jerusalem. It is possibly the oldest city in the world, dating to 8000 BC. Jesus passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. This is where he met Zacchaeus up the sycamore tree. Bible Places - Jericho Bible Basics - Jericho Jesus gives sight to the blind Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus Zacchaeus up a tree Catholic Tool Box - Zacchaeus Catholic Mom - Zacchaeus |
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Bethany
Bethany is an Arab village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. This is where Lazarus' tomb is found. See the Holy Land - Bethany Tomb of Lazarus Jesus and Lazarus Jesus raises Lazarus Catholic Toolbox - Lazarus Jesus visits Mary and Martha |
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Church of Pater Noster
The Church of Pater Noster is where Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. The surrounding area is lined with tiles bearing the text of the prayer in more than 60 languages including braille. Church of the Pater Noster - Sacred Destinations See the Holy Land - Church of Pater Noster Bible Walks - Pater Noster The Catholic Toolbox - Our Father |
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Mount of Olives
Mount of Olives is the hill facing the old city of Jerusalem. Its name came from the old trees that once grew on its hillside. Sites located on the Mount of Olives include the Dome of the Ascension and Dominus Fleet Church. Bible Walks - Mount of Olives Bible Places - Mount of Olives Catholic Toolbox - Ascension Religion Teacher - Ascension Catholic Mom - Ascension Church of the Dominus Flevit - Sacred Destinations |
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Gethsemane
On the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives is a grove of eight ancient olive trees. It is here that Jesus came to pray with his disciples. The Basilica of Agony or the Church of All Nations was built by the Italian architect Barluzzi. Within the church is the Rock of Agony upon which Jesus prayed and sweated blood the night before his arrest. Gethsemane Sacred Destinations - Church of All Nations See the Holy Land - Church of All Nations See the Holy Land - Gethsemane Jesus prays Jesus Story - Gethsemane Catholic Inspired - Agony in the Garden |
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The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
The Church of St. Pater in Gallicantu stands on the site of the house of Caiaphas the High Priest at the time of Jesus. This is where Peter denied Jesus. Under the church is a dungeon thought to be the cell where Jesus was detained for the night following his arrest. Bible Walk - Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu See the Holy Land - Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu Peter's denial Peter's denies Jesus Caiaphas |
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The pools of Bethesda
The Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem has been identified as the scene of one of Jesus' miracles. This was the healing of the paralysed man who had waited for 38 years. The location of the pools of Bethesda is in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. Bethesda is also where Jesus' maternal grandparents, Anne and Joachim lived and where Mary was born. The Church of St. Anne marks the site of Anne and Joachim's home and the birthplace of Mary. Bible Archaeology - Pools of Bethesda See the Holy Land - Pools of Bethesda See the Holy Land - St. Anne Sacred Destinations - St. Anne Healing at the Pool of Bethesda St. Joachim and St. Anne |
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Via Dolorosa - Jerusalem
The Via Dolorosa is the route that Jesus took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and burial. The route of the Via Dolorosa begins near the Lion's Gate in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, covering 500 metres and incorporating 14 Stations of the Cross. Sacred Destinations - Via Dolorosa Bible Walks - Via Dolorosa See Holy Week and Stations of the Cross activities |
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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest Christian site in the world. It stands on the site that is believed to encompass both Golgotha or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb where he was buried. The last five Stations of the Way of the Cross are in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Holy Sepulchre is Jesus' tomb and is located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Church of the Holy Sepulchre Bible Places - Church of the Holy Sepulchre Map and Virtual Tour See Holy Week and Stations of the Cross activities Ephesus In the ancient world, Ephesus was a center of travel and commerce. Situated on the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, the city was one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world. The first Christian community in Ephesus was established by St John and developed by St Paul. Paul came in to the city to fulfill the promise that he had given on his brief visit when returning from Corinth and stayed for about three and a half years and also wrote his letters to Ephesians in captivity most probably here in Ephesus. When Paul came to Ephesus, first in the synagogues and then everywhere in the city, he preached the gospel and gained followers. The church of Ephesus which became the head of the Seven Churches in western Asia Minor was established by Pau |