National park and remains of a fishing village from the time of the Second Temple, on a site that was the focus of Jesus’ Galilee ministry.

Points of interest

The synagogue that visitors see today was in use during the Byzantine period. An earlier synagogue also stood here; scholars are divided over whether it was built in the third or the fourth century CE.

A very exciting site for Christian pilgrims is one that started out in the first century CE as a dwelling. The floor of one of the rooms was covered with white plaster and its walls were adorned with plaster painted with geometric patterns and colorful flowers. Apparently as early as the first century the building served as a gathering place for the first Christians (Judeo-Christians). Discovered at the site were 173 plaster fragments bearing inscriptions, mostly in Greek. Some, like “our Lord”, “the Nazarene”, “the greatest of all” and “Simon”, attest to the existence of a Christian community.

In the fourth century the assembly room in the private dwelling became a small public structure. In the middle of the fifth century the site was leveled and an octagonal church was built on top, with the original room right in the center. A larger octagon was built around the inner one, with a mosaic floor bearing floral decorations. Christian pilgrims of the sixth century mention the church, noting that it was built over the house of the Apostle Peter. A modern church stands over the site today.

The main area of the national park, which covers approximately 80 dunams (20 acres), is northeast of the antiquities site. The INPA has prepared the area to assist and complement the visit to the antiquities. The national park will become part of the new promenade, 3.5 km long, which connects Capernaum and Ein Sheva (Tabgha).

A dock has been built near the antiquities site, which allows visitors to sail to Capernaum from Tiberias and Ein Gev. Because the level of the lake changes frequently, the dock has been constructed to rise and fall with the water level.

An information booth is now being established at the national park, with a souvenir shop, toilets, a restaurant and a snack-bar. A fishing village and artists’ village are also planned, where daily life in Second Temple times will be recreated.

Archaeology and history

Capernaum fulfilled such a central role in the life of Jesus that it was sometimes called “the town of Jesus.” As the New Testament describes it: “And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea…” (Matt 4:13). Here in Capernaum and its surroundings Jesus chose his Apostles.

Remains were unearthed here during excavations of a residential quarter from the time of the Second Temple. Its private dwellings were usually built out of basalt, which was the most common local rock. A typical home consisted of an unroofed courtyard surrounded by rooms that opened onto it. Rooms occasionally opened outward; these were apparently shops. The quality of construction shows the community was a simple one.

Remains of the synagogue discovered in Capernaum, however, were more opulent. The synagogue was built of well-carved limestone, its façade adorned with floral, faunal and geometric patterns. Some of the designs, like the seven-branched candelabra carved onto a Corinthian capital, clearly show their Jewish origins. One unique stone relief is a cart bearing a structure that looks like a shrine. Some scholars believe the image was meant to represent the Ark of the Covenant being borne into battle against the Philistines.