TABGHA ON THE SEA OF GALILEE

Tabgha is situated 4km West of Capernaum (on Route 87) and 7km North of Tiberias (just off Route 90) on the north-west shoreline of the Sea of Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee at Tabgha

The name of the area is derived from a Greek word meaning "seven springs".

There are 7 springs in the area and the Hebrew name is Ein Sheva. Some of the springs are warm sulfuric springs. This caused fish in the Sea of Galilee to gather here.

There are three important sites at Tabgha:

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter was built on the shore of the Sea of Galilea where, according to John 21, Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. The night before, Peter and several other disciples had sailed out on the lake to fish, but caught nothing. In the morning, a man appeared on the shore and called out to them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. Doing so, they caught so many fish they couldn't drag the net back into the boat.

Then Peter recognized Jesus, jumped out of the boat to wade to shore to meet him. The other disciples followed. They met Jesus who prepared a charcoal fire for the fish and provided bread, and they had breakfast together.

The Mensa Christi in the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter

This is believed to have taken place on the mensa Christi, a large rock incorporated in the chapel.

After breakfast, Jesus reinstated Peter (after his three-time denial of Jesus at the crucifixion) with the words "Feed my sheep".

A few hundred metres to the West of the Chapel is The Church of the Bread and the Fishes. It can be reached by driving from the Chapel on  Route 87 towards Tiberias for less than a km and then turn left to the Church.

At this site there is the Church of the first feeding of the Multitude according to Mat 14, Mark 6 and John 6.

The Church was built over two earlier churches while preserving the beauty and simplicity of the design, and glorifying the mosaic floor - one of the most impressive in the Holy Land.

Admission to these two sites are free and it can be visited daily from 8 to noon and again from 2 to 5p.m.

The Mount of Beatitudes is across the road (Route 87) from the entrance to the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter. An impressive church was erected on top of the mountain.

The Church on the Mount of Beatitudes

The Church can be reached by driving from the site of the Church of the Bread and Fishes on Route 87 towards Tiberias. At the first junction turn right onto Route 90 and then shortly afterward again to the right to go to the Church on the Mount of Beatitudes.

This site is believed to be the place where Jesus delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount and where He chose His disciples. The octagonal shape of the church recalls the eight beatitudes while the symbols surrounding the altar inside the church represent the seven virtues of Mat 5. The church is surrounded by beautiful gardens and provides a magnificent view of the Sea of Galilee.

Accommodation for pilgrims:

Hospice on the Mt of Beatitudes

E-mail:  ospbeat@netvision.net.il   

Tel  +972 4 6726712   Fax:   +972 4 6726735

Pilgerhaus Tabgha
PO Box 993 Tabgha, Tiberias 14107
E-mail: pilgerhaus@tabgha.org.il

Tel  +972 4 6700100   Fax   +972 4 6700101