Jesus of Nazareth

I'll admit my knowledge of biblical history is not as good as it should be, so what better way to brush up than to go to the source.  So I booked a day trip to Nazareth, Capharnaum, Galilee, and the Jordan River.  The first stop was Nazareth, which is more of a small city than the image the name conjures up when picturing Nazareth in Jesus' time.

Nazareth

City View

Hmm...I'll let the words speak for themselves

Hollywood's influence is everywhere

The largest church in the Middle East, the Church (or Basilica) of the Annunciation, is here.  It is a modern church built over the site where it was announced that the Virgin Mary would give birth to Jesus.

Surrounding the church are mosaics from countries around the world 

as their interpretation of the Madonna and child

Ancient site beneath church

Section of Nazareth from the time of Jesus

The Church of Saint Joseph is next to the Basilica which was built over the original house of Saint Joseph.  

Ritual Bath found under the new church