Holy Land Trip 2013

Caesarea Maritima was built by Herod the Great and later used as the home of the Roman governor. It was here that St. Paul was on trial. 

The wrought iron chariots signify Solomon's use of Meggido as a military out post. It sits high in the Jezreel plain and so was strategic when armies came through from warring empires around Israel. 

 Bahai Gardens 

A crusader church. Acre was founded by the Phoenicians. It later became Israelite, Greek (Alexander the Great), Roman/Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, Arab again, Crusader again, Arab again, Ottoman, British, and Israeli. 

Church of the Nativity high altar

Church of the Nativity -- three of the many murals

There was a wedding in Cana at the Wedding Church by a couple from , we think, Nigeria. 

Church of the Beatitudes  

On the grounds of the Church of the Beatitudes  

Tabgha: Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes 

Capernaum National Archeological Park gate

Capernaum: St. Peter's house under the church

Capernaum: orthodox church 

"Jesus" boat

There were occasional land mine warning signs

This is an excavation of a Roman city. This is the main road through the forum.

Roman theater

That is not Lot's wife.

Scale model of 1st century Masada

The ramp that the Romans built to get to the Jewish rebels on top

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Church of the Nativity (Orthodox)

Church of the Nativity: entrance to Jesus' birth place

Church of the Nativity: Jesus' birth place behind Suzie

Non-mechanical transportation

Church of the Nations (Basilica of the Agony)

Photos were not allowed inside, which is strange because it would seem that Israel would want the story told more broadly.

 St. Peter In Gallicantu Church (Caiaphas' house, site of Jesus' trail before the Sanhedrin) 

St. Peter In Gallicantu Church: 1st century prisoners were hung upside down in the darkness from the main floor to the prisoner's cells below. Was that also Jesus' fate?

St. Peter In Gallicantu Church

Israel Museum, Model of First Century Jerusalem -- the City of David

The Way of the Cross

Pilgrims beginning their route

Many markets in the Old City

Courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Station 10) 

 Church of the Holy Sepulcher: pavement where Jesus' body was laid from the cross (Station 13) 

Church of the Holy Sepulcher: A long line to enter Jesus' tomb (Station 14)

Church of the Holy Sepulcher: during renovations of the church, tombs dating to the first century were uncovered.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher: columns from the temple after its destruction by the Romans were repurposed here. 

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Church of the Holy Sepulche

Light Rail