Nazareth, Where Jesus Grew Up
In the green hills of Lower Galilee sits Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus and the place where, in Christian tradition, the angel Gabriel greeted Mary. Today it is a lively city crowned by one of the largest churches in the region.
Why it matters
Nazareth is where the Gospel of Luke sets the Annunciation, the moment the angel Gabriel told the young Mary she would bear the Son of God. It is also where the Gospels describe Jesus spending His childhood, giving Him the name by which He is often known, Jesus of Nazareth.
The modern Basilica of the Annunciation, completed in 1969, was for decades the largest Christian church in the Middle East. It is built over the traditional site of Mary's home, and its courtyard is ringed with images of the Madonna donated by Catholic communities around the world, including the Philippines, which makes it a place many Filipino pilgrims find deeply personal. The town remains an important centre of Arab Christian life in Israel.
Explore pilgrimage toursHighlights of Nazareth
- The Basilica of the Annunciation, over the traditional home of Mary
- The Grotto of the Annunciation in the lower church
- St. Joseph's Church, near the traditional workshop
- Mary's Well and the Church of St. Gabriel
- Marian images from nations worldwide, including the Philippines
Good to know. Modest dress is required inside the basilica. Nazareth is hilly with busy market streets, so comfortable shoes help. It pairs naturally with the Sea of Galilee on the northern leg of a tour.
Fits. Included in full pilgrimage packages that combine Jerusalem with Galilee.
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