Page 15 - Holyland Magazine - 2022 Edition

W perform a mass with thousands of
By Julia Mersky
hile the history of Jerusalem and
the dazzling lights of Tel Aviv might
congregants).
be what first brings you to Israel,
it won’t take long before you’re What You’ll Find Along
captured by the stunning and The Trail
unique natural wonders that this country has The main hiking route starts in
to offer. From the mountains of the north to Nazareth, where many travelers
the deserts of the south, Israel is an exquisite choose to spend time at our hostel
destination for outdoor enthusiasts and there, Fauzi Azar, and it ends in
nature lovers. Capernaum, which was an ancient
fishing village nestled along the Sea
In the Galilee region of Northern Israel, the of Galilee. Here’s some information
picturesque terrain is dotted by archeological about those stops, and other
and historical sites dating back thousands of incredible places that you’ll pass
years. Hikers and pilgrims come to this region through on the trail:
to set foot on a 65-kilometer hiking trail that
winds through the landscape, and you’ve ● Nazareth: The childhood home
probably heard of the person who first walked of Jesus will be your first stop, and
this path: Jesus. there is much to see and do here.
In downtown Nazareth you can visit
The Jesus Trail takes travelers on an authentic the Church of the Annunciation, the
journey by foot to sites that were significant largest church in the Middle East,
to the life of Jesus, and it’s not only intended as well as Saint Joseph’s Church,
for those interested in a religious pilgrimage where Joseph was believed to have
or spiritual journey. The trail is actually an epic had his workshop.
hiking route in the Middle East where you’ll see
forests, ancient olive groves, rugged cliffs, and ● Nebi Shu’eib: The huge
the stunning Sea of Galilee. mosque-like structure of Nebi
Shu’eib may be one of the most
Created with the intention of fostering unique and impressive sites you
understanding between people of all pass on The Jesus Trail, and is
nationalities, cultures and religions, the trail also significant to those of the Druze
seeks to provide economic stimulus to the local religion. The Druze religion dates
communities through grassroots ecotourism. back to 10th century Egypt, and
while Druze are Arab culturally Hikers in Mount Arbel
What Is The Jesus Trail? and use the Arabic language, they maintain
While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where Jesus separation from the mainstream Muslim and
spent his days, the founders of The Jesus Trail Christian Arabs in Israel.
turned to the Bible to create this world-class to Jesus spending time in Capernaum in the
trekking route. Created in 2009, the trail was ● Arbel: The Cliffs of Arbel are a must-see New Testament.
co-founded by one of the intrepid founders of in Israel, standing 700 feet above the Sea
Abraham Hostel. of Galilee. The Jesus Trail will take you on Will You Meet Locals?
a steep but stunning route down the cliffs, The Jesus Trail was created with the intention
It has since grown to become one of the greatest where you can see 17th century cliff dwellings of being a meeting point for the diverse
hikes in the world. After it was founded, the built by the Druze. communities that represent Israeli society, such
trail was quickly approved by Israel’s Society as Israeli-Arabs, Druze and Orthodox Jews.
for Protection of Nature, and shortly afterwards ● Capernaum: This ancient fishing village While walking the trail, you’ll pass through local
was visited by the now-retired Pope Benedict served as Jesus’ home during his ministry communities and have the opportunity to stay
XVI (while the Pope did not hike the trail, he did in the region, and there are many references in accommodations run by locals.

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