Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sea of Galilee
9
Israel's chief source of water, the Sea
of Galilee (Lake Tiberias/Kinneret)
lies 212 metres (696 feet) below sea
level and is fed and drained by the
Jordan River. It is 21 km (13 miles)
long, and 9 km (6 miles) wide, and
since biblical times has been famous
for its abundance of fish. Many of
Jesus's disciples were fishermen here,
and he did much of his preaching by
its shores. Today, this beautiful area is one of Israel's
most popular tourist centres, with a mix of fascinating
historical and religious sites, and a varied selection
of hotels and outdoor activities.
Speedboating on the Sea of Galilee,
one of many water spo
Statue of Saint
Peter, Tiberias
Mount of the Beatitudes
(
see p18
Chur
Primacy of St
P
aum
aum
KEY
Church of the
Multiplication of
the Loaves and the
Fishes
(see p184)
Major road
Minor road
g
L
J
g
Ferry
Excursion
boat
Kibbutz Ginosar
is home to a fishing
boat from Jesus's
time, found here
in 1986
(see p29).
½
Water
sports
Camping
site
¨
•
L
Beach
/
J
Viewpoint
/
½
½
¼
¼
¨
To Nazareth
/
Tiberias
The largest town on the Sea of Galilee,
Tiberias is a popular resort with many
hotels, bars and restaurants. The busy
lakeside offers beaches and water sports.
MME
The Hammat Tiberias
Hot Springs
have long been
renowned for their curative
properties, and are said to
date from the time of Solomon.
/
/
Kibbutz Kinneret's
cemetery, with great views
of the sea, is resting place
to many spiritual leaders of
the Zionist movement.
Yardenet Baptism Site
The Jordan River has always been an
important Christian site since Christ was
supposedly baptized here. At Yardenet,
large crowds of pilgrims gather to be
baptized in the river themselves.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp258-9 and pp275-8
