Tiberias is the
largest city around the Sea of Galilee. Located on its western shore, its location
produces a breathtaking view of the entire Sea of Galilee; its shores and mountains
surround it.
Tiberias was named after the Roman emperor Tiberius who ruled from 14-37 AD. It was a gift
by Antipas the son of King Herod.
The surroundings of Tiberias were well populated throughout the centuries, and it was the
center of a large fishing industry, it's lake waters
remarkably rich in fish. Numerous trade routes\ intersected at the lake (Kinnereth). Of
all ancient towns that flourished on its shores only Tiberias still exists today.
Where the Jordan River leaves the Sea of Galilee is the site where tradition claims that John baptized Jesus. Many Christian
pilgrims annually visit this holy site
to be baptized. The Gospels tell of many episodes having happened there, including the
meeting of James, John and Simon, the
miraculous Draft of Fish, the Multiplication of the
Loaves and the Walking on the Waters.
Tiberias is a holy city in Judaism, one of the most
important centers of Jewish studies and culture. After the destruction of the Temple, during the 2nd and 3rd centuries
the Sanhedrin (Jewish council) moved to Tiberias.
The Mishnah - The Oral Jewish Law - was completed here.
Today Tiberias is a Jewish pilgrim city; famous Jewish Rabbis as Rabbi Maimonides and
Rabbi Akiva are buried there.
A Christian Community also lived in Tiberias throughout the ages.
In the 6th century the Byzantine emperor Justinian, built a wall around the city. In
1990-93 the remains of a Byzantine church with its remarkable cultic objects were
uncovered.
In 1033 after an earthquake destroyed Tiberias, the Crusaders moved it two kilometers
north of the remains of the old Roman Tiberias.
The Crusaders built churches and dedicated one of the churches to St. Peter. During the Crusader period, Tiberias became the capitol of
the Galilee after a period of 150 years of ruthless fighting with the Moslems; the
Crusaders were conquered in 1187 AD. Over time Moslem interest in the city faded.
In the 16th century, when Jewish exiles from Spain reclaimed Tiberias the city regained
popularity.
In the 18th century, a local Bedouin Sheik, Dahar al Omar, revolted against the Ottoman
rulers of Palestine and set up an independent region in Galilee. Dahar and his son rebuilt
Tiberias, enclosed it and constructed a large fort there.
In 1904 Jewish settlement activities started in the Galilee and Tiberias once again became
the official center of the region of Galilee.
Today, Tiberias has a population of 35,000. It is
visited annually by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The calm climate, the
pleasant breeze during the hot season, natural beauty and presence of therapeutic thermal
springs has made the place a preferred health and holiday resort.
By Lena Mor - Jerusalem-Gifts.com |
