Tiberias; Tverya
Tiberias (Hebrew Tverya), 70km/45mi east of Haifa on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. One of the four holy cities of the Jews, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed, Tiberias is rich in historical and religious interest, as are the towns and villages on the shores of the lake and in the surrounding area. Tiberias is the largest town on the Sea of Galilee, and is often considered the capital of the entire Galilee region. Its choice location and pleasant climate have made this a tourist center for Israeli and foreign visitors alike. Its hot springs have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, and the town is now equipped with modern spa facilities.
Two thousand years ago, Herod Antipas erected a new city and named it Tiberius, in honor of the Roman emperor. The city gates, a basilica, public baths, the marketplace, a colonnaded street (Cardo), the harbour and many other structures have been excavated by archaeologists but are not yet officially open to the public. These gems lie below Mt. Bereniki, on top of which are the ruins of a Byzantine church and part of the city wall of that period.
Tiberias has always been a destination for Jewish pilgrims; the graves of several famous rabbis are found here. One of these is the Tomb of Maimonides (known as the Rambam), a renowned rabbi, philosopher and physician in twelfth-century Spain and Egypt. It is located a 5-minute walk north of the beginning of Hagalil Street.
