Galilee

View across the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias


Galilee (Hebrew: הגליל) is a region in northeastern Israel. A sparsely populated part of Israel, Galilee covers an area that includes Dan in the north, Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa in the south, the Jordan Rift Valley in the east, and the Israeli Coastal Plain in the west.


Old City of Safed, Galilee


The name Galilee comes from Hebrew meaning "district" or "circle". The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and is featured prominently in the Bible. During Roman times, Galilee was one of the three regions of Israel, along with Judea and Samaria. It was ruled by Herod Antipas.

Within Galilee is a large freshwater lake called Kinneret, or in English, the Sea of Galilee. It measures 21 km (13 miles) in length and 13 km (8 miles) in width. The lake covers 166 sq km (64 sq mi) and has a maximum depth of 43 m (141 ft). With its surface 214 m (702 ft) below sea level, the Sea of Galilee is the lowest freshwater lake in the world, and the second-lowest lake after the saltwater Dead Sea.


The souk in Nazereth, Galilee


Galilee is best known as the home of Jesus when he was growing up, and a large part of his public ministry took place in Galilee, particularly in the towns of Nazereth and Capernaum.

Galilee was captured by the Arab caliphate in AD 638, and annexed as a district of Jordan, known as Jund al-Urrdun. During Ottoman rule of Galilee, it saw an influx of Jews from Spain, where they were expelled. The Jewish community turned the town of Safed into a center for cloth weaving, and it remains one of the four holy cities of Judaism today.


Cable car at Rosh HaNikra, Galilee


The Jewish community in Galilee was reduced in numbers following an Arab revolt in 1834. During this period, rule over Galilee had changed hands from the Ottomans to Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. The number of Jews in Galilee only began increasing in the 20th century fueled by Zionist immigration.

Galilee came under Israeli control following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. This resulted in the forced expulsion of Arabs in the area, except for those in the cities such as Nazereth, Acre, Tamra, Sakhnin and Shefa-Amr. The region has witnessed clashes brought on by various players including the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Israeli Army, Syrian forces, the Hezbollah. Today it remains a volatile part of Israel, so security is expectedly tight for visitors.


Rock formation in Kisra, Upper Galilee

Visiting Galilee

Most of the visitors to Galilee are Christian pilgrims visiting sites mentioned in the Bible. The region in fact has much to offer. It is scenic and the food is great. In April 2011, Israel introduced the Jesus Trail. This is a 40-mile hiking trail that weaves together biblical sites including places where Jesus performed his miracles, where he delivered his Sermon on the Mount, and the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Places of Interest in Galilee

Towns in Galilee

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