Tiberias

Lying just east of Haifa, the Sea of Galilee is one of Israel’s most visited places attracting many travelers who come to see the sites they have read about in the Bible. Apart from its significance to people of faith, the region is also a top holiday destination – Lake Kinneret provides a host of water based activities, and is surrounded by a beautiful mountainous Golan region –home to attractive walking routes and spectacular views.

 Tiberias is a city on the western shores of the Galilee, named in honor of Emperor Tiberias , in around 20 AD. 

Tiberias has been an important city to Jews since the middle of the 2^nd century – and is considered to be one of Judaism’s Four Holy Cities.

The city is also well known for its hot springs, a feature which has made it the destination of choice for people seeking a cure for their ailments for thousands of years.

To illustrate how ancient the practice of enjoying a spa is the Hammat Tiberias National Park features a museum which houses part of an original bath house which dates back to Roman times, and a synagogue which dates back to the 3^rd century.

Tiberias has a fine array of archeological sites, including the remains of a Roman theater which seated 7000. There are several tombs of interest located here too, including that of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, a revered rabbi and sage, his death recorded as 1204. The Tomb of Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakkai is situated adjacent, another wise man who lived during the period in which the Romans sacked Jerusalem.

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