GADARA

The Gospels tell how Jesus once sailed across the Sea of Galilee and landed in the Country of the Gadarenes (or Gergesenes) at Gadara (or Gergesa) on the eastern side of the lake. Here Jesus healed a demon posessed man. He drove out the devils into a herd of swine, who proceeded to jump into the sea.

It was in this area where seven loaves of bread and a few small fish were miraculously multiplied by Jesus to feed lmost forut thousand people.

Remains of the Monastery at Kursi

At Kursi excavations restored the ruins of a 5-6th century AD church and monastery, the largest Byzantine monastery in Israel, which was established on the traditional site of the miracle.

Impressive remains can be seen on this site of the Byzantine monastery and a small chapel, both reconstructed with splendid mosaic floors.

Ruins of the small chapel with the Monastery lower down to the left and the Sea of Galilee in the background

South of the Monastery, built into the side of the hill, is the remains of another small chapel. It was built on the spot where the posessed madman appeared.

The site can be visited from Saturday – Thursday 08:00 to 16:00 and on Friday till 3pm. An admission fee is payable.

How to get there

Pilgrims can travel to Kursi by bus from Tiberias. Tzomet Kursi is 50m from the site. Kursi is on Route 92 at its junction with Regional Road 789.