Jaffa/Tel Aviv

Day 6 (Touring Day 1 of the Gate 1 tour): A busy schedule today that we started at Jaffa, which is the oldet part of Tel Aviv, a port city that was established at least by the 15th century BC. We climbed up to Abrasha Park, the highest point in Jaffa, for views of Tel Aviv.

Statue of Faith

At the overlook was the modern “Statue of Faith” in the park. It is sculptured like a gate and represents the entry to the Land of Israel and the promise of the land to the Patriarchs. It tells three biblical stories: of Jacob’s Dream, the sacrifice of Isaac, and the Fall of Jericho.

Jaffa

We took a short walk through Jaffa’s old town. We had rain today, making the pavers somewhat slippery.

Jaffa

We walked past Jaffa’s Artist Quarter.

St. Peter’s Church

We visited St. Peter’s Church, a Franciscan Roman Catholic Church built in 1654 on the remains of a Crusader fortress. It was destroyed twice and rebuilt twice. The current structure was built in the late 1800s.

St. Peter’s Church

Inside the church. There is much to see in Jaffa including its port, a place to spend some time in. There are escorted walking tours and self–guiding tours in Jaffa or else you could explore it on your own. If I ever went back to Tel Aviv, I would definitely go back to Jaffa and see more of it––and on a day without rain!

Bauhaus Architecture

We next took a driving tour of Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv has more buildings done in the Bauhaus style than anywhere else in the world. Bauhaus was a German art school that operated from 1919 to 1933 that combined crafts and fine arts.

International-style Architecture

Modernistic international–style buildings were also built in the same period in Tel Aviv, buildings with plain lines. Tel Aviv has over 4,000 Bauhaus/International–style buildings, more than anywhere else in the world. You can take walking tours to see the buildings or take a walk down Rothschild Blvd.

Rabin Square

We drove past Rabin Square with its Holocaust Memorial.

Rabin Memorial

We stopped to view the Rabin Memorial. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at this spot on November 4, 1995, at the conclusion of a peace rally.

I have put my photos of Jaffa and Tel Aviv on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/jaffa–tel–aviv–tour/ (Slideshows, Middle East, Israel, Tel Aviv, “Jaffa/Tel Aviv Tour”).

Yarkon River

We are now driving out of Tel Aviv across the Yarkon River. The tour spent only one night in Tel Aviv and will spend the next two nights in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

Countryside

Israel countryside. We stopped for lunch at a Druze village. There are about 125,000 Druze in Israel, many more in other Middle East countries. They are an Arabic–speaking ethno–religious group, generally not considered to be Muslims. I didn’t take any photos here but we ate at a cafeteria–style restaurant and I had falafel with some very good condiments.

Caesarea

We next visited the ancient city of Caesarea Maritime. It was first a Phoenician settlement, then was rebuilt and enlarged by Herod the Great, the king of Judea, about 22–10 BC as a major port and adminstrative center of the Judea Province of the Roman Empire. It is named after Caesar Augustus.

Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre. It is used for concerts today.

Caesarea

A wide view of Caesarea. You would need several hours here to see the whole park. There are tours from Tel Aviv and maybe other cities that will drop you off and then pick you up 3 hours later, among other day tours.

Architectural Artifacts

We saw the garden of architectural artifacts that were discovered during the excavations or by chance.

Caesarea

Another view of Caesarea.

Countryside

More of the countryside.

Countryside

More of the countryside.

Countryside

More of the countryside.

Sea of Galilee

Our first view of the Sea of Galilee, the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second lowest lake in the world, the first being the Dead Sea which is a saltwater lake. The Sea of Galilee is 686–705 feet (209–705 m) below sea level. It is fed from underground streams and mainly from the River Jordan.

Sea of Galilee

Another view of the Sea of Galilee.

Capernaum

Our last sightseeing stop of the day was at Capernaum (Capharnaum), The Town of Jesus. When Jesus left Nazareth, He went to Capernaum and made it His home. Here, He chose his first four disciples: James, John, Peter, and Andrew.

“Homeless Jesus”

The “Homeless Jesus” sculpture at Capernaum.

St. Peter’s House/Synagogue

At Capernaum, we saw both St. Peter’s House and the Synagogue.

St. Peter’s House and Church

In the 5th century, a Byzantine church was erected above a house believed to be the house of St. Peter. You walk up the steps on the right to go into the church.

St. Peter’s House

The ruins of St. Peter’s House.

Synagogue

The synagogue. Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

I have put my photos of Caesarea and Capernaum on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/caesarea–capernaum/ (Slide Shows, Middle East, Israel, “Caesarea/Capernaum”).

Sunset

We were treated to a truly beautiful sunset on our way from Capernaum to Tiberius.

Sunset

More of the sunset.