Instawalk: Mount Tabor and the Church of the Transfiguration

Mount Tabor is located east of Nazareth, about a third of the way to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. it’s considered by Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. regardless of whether you believe that or not, there’s a tranquil and beautiful church up at the summit and great vistas onto the land radiating out below.

note it helps to have a small car that’s easily maneuverable, as well as GPS! on the way up, Google Maps took us through some very narrow roads in the town at the base of the mountain (Daburiya) which were a bit hair-raising, but on the return trip (we were heading in a different direction), we were directed to larger roads. if it looks like you’re going down alleyways, you may want to browse the map and find your way to a main street — it exists!

depending on what i’ve read, the current church, dating from the 1920s, is either built on the ruins of an Islamic fortress or on top of two other churches from millennia ago. or i guess it could be both? in any case, the pictures:

The archway over the road going to the church. It’s a single lane, so watch out — if you run into someone halfway down, one of you is going to have to back all the way out!

The façade of the Church of the Transfiguration

Cross in front of church

The nave — quite lovely with those arches stretching along both sides.

Altars

Outside in the garden

Entryway to the church

Old ruins on the site

here’s a panorama of the valley below; you can see part of the winding road that leads to the summit on the left, and yes, that’s a hole in the pavement on the right through which you can see the mountainside below (yikes!):

if you’re going to Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation it’s about 25 minutes to the east and a relatively easy drive as long as you don’t mind narrow switchbacks!