Culture of Nazareth. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

The main attractions of Nazareth are religious shrines, among which a special place is occupied by the Basilica of the Annunciation. According to legend, the basilica was built in the very place where Mary received the message from God. It features an unusual architecture and has been the largest Christian church in the Middle East since its construction. This basilica has two levels and an ancient grotto preserved at its first level. If you believe Christian traditions, the Blessed Virgin Mary once lived in this grotto. The basilica looks very majestic and impressive, the main construction material was stone. On its territory, there are many additional buildings erected in different periods. Of particular interest is the surrounding area paved with decorative stone with beautiful mosaics.

The city has an interesting ethnographic museum called Nazareth Village. It is a reconstructed village created on the model of typical villages of the 1st century BC. In this open-air museum, the main "exhibits" are examples of ancient dwellings and outbuildings. Each one contains an interesting collection of historical artifacts. Visitors to the museum can get inside typical houses and see how people lived here in the time of Jesus. The museum's vast area accommodates several agricultural fields, a winery, as well as an olive oil factory. Every day, the museum holds interesting programs and rituals dedicated to the ancient traditions of the indigenous population.

Another popular attraction is the Chapel of the Virgin. Standing on a clifftop, the very small chapel has been in its original form since its construction. It is deprived of any rich decorations but still looks very elegant and attractive. To get to this site, you'll need to climb the rock by a steep path. The chapel also attracts travelers with stunning city views. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

An ancient source of fresh water found by locals more than 2,000 years ago has been preserved in Nazareth. A beautiful fountain bearing the name of the Virgin Mary is now installed in its place. The fountain is located in the middle of a beautiful square where significant holidays and fairs take place. On Christmas Eve, a traditional fair is organized here. The square is surrounded by interesting architectural attractions and many popular restaurants and cafes.

A vivid religious monument of the 17th century is St. Gabriel's Church located within walking distance of the fountain. Absolutely everyone can visit this temple wearing modest covering clothes. Over 300 years of its existence, the church has preserved a lot of unique architectural elements. Ancient icons and other valuable religious artifacts are currently stored within its walls. The temple conducts daily services in Arabic and Greek. Since many foreign pilgrims visit the church today, they have the opportunity to order the service in their native language.

An interesting historical attraction is old villa El País. It is one of the surviving palaces built during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. After its construction, the villa belonged to the local governor. It is distinguished by the rich architecture and interior design. The villa was opened for tours quite recently. Excursions are carried out upon prior reservation, visitors can admire chic frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings. They will see a unique collection of antique furniture and ancient artworks, as well as well-preserved decoration elements from rare Italian marble.

Art connoisseurs will be more interested in St. Joseph Church, which is of equally great religious and artistic value. The church also has ancient frescoes on religious themes. During the tour, church visitors will hear a lot of interesting stories. Its main secret is an underground cave where there used to be a granary, which is now available for tours too. In the west of Nazareth, you'll find the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent, which is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic architectural monuments in the city. A 250-step staircase leads to the church standing on a hilltop.