- Address: Afula, Israel;
- Height above sea level: 575 m.
Mount Tabor ( Israel ) - a detached hill in the eastern part of the Jezreel Valley, a mention of which can be found even in ancient literature. Many biblical events are connected with it, but at the same time the mountain is a real decoration of the valley, many tourists who find themselves in Israel are eager to see it.
Mount Tabor in history
Mount Tabor is a place that played an important role in the development of Christianity. For the first time in the Bible, the mountain is mentioned as the land borders of three Israeli tribes:
- Zavullon;
- Nefallim;
- Issachar.
The hill is also associated with the defeat of the troops of Sisara, the commander of the king of ashor, Javin, and the death of the Gideon brothers by the order of the Midianite kings. Its role played the mountain and under Antiochus the Great and Vespansian during the conquest of Jerusalem, Tabor served as a fortified place. For 40 days the mountain became a defense for the Jewish people during the Jewish battle.
Feature of Mount Tabor
The height of Mount Tabor is 588 m above sea level. The peculiarity of the hill is that it is completely separated from the rest of the mountain chain. The answer to the eternal question of tourists, where Mount Tabor - in the Lower Galilee, is located 9 km east of Nazareth and 11 km from the Sea of Galilee . In form it is absolutely convex - from the sole to the top, but its upper part is a dented and oblong cavity. The top even looks like an eye socket.
If you want to see before the trip how exactly Mount Tabor looks, the photos will clearly demonstrate the entire landscape. As in ancient times, the hill still plays an important strategic role. Not far from the foot are two Arab settlements and one Jewish settlement.
The mountain attracts the attention of tourists with evergreen oaks, olives and acacia, which grow on the slopes of the mountain. The vegetable world is also represented by oleander, hazel and wild rose bushes. In history, Mount Favor is firmly connected with the Transfiguration of Christ. As the Bible says, it was on this hill that the Savior ascended along with the apostles Peter, John and Joachim. During the prayer, Christ's face lit up like the sun, and clothing became like light.
Sights of Mount Tabor
Than so attracts tourists and pilgrims Mount Tabor - the temple of the Transfiguration , which was built in the late 19th century. Earlier in its place was an Arab fortress of the 13th century. This is not the only religious building on the mountain. Judging by the ruins, on the hill there were temples of Latin monks, Byzantine monasteries. At the present time, only ruins remind of this.
The Church of the Transfiguration is designed by Antonio Barluzzi, who managed to create a basilica of stunning beauty. While pilgrims and tourists get to it, they can see the remains of ancient buildings that once adorn Mount Tabor.
Another feature that Mount Tabor has is a cloud , a natural phenomenon is first described in the Bible. A bright cloud enveloped all the apostles on the mountain, and from it came a voice, confirming that Jesus is the son of God, who must be heard. An amazing natural phenomenon can be observed at this time.
On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a cloud appears over the mountain, which covers both the hill itself and the people on it. It happens only on the day of the Transfiguration according to the Orthodox calendar. The appearance of the cloud is amazing, because at this time of year the sky above the valley, as a rule, is always cloudless.
How great is Mount Tabor - photos can not be transmitted. Therefore, a visit to these places is an obligatory point in a tourist trip. And to feel the whole atmosphere, which is penetrated by Mount Tabor, Jerusalem should be the starting point. Israel carefully preserves all the relics associated with religion, so it will be possible to go through all the places described in the Bible, and Mount Tabor will be the key point in this journey.
How to get there?
You can get to Mount Tabor from Afula along Highway 65. It should be remembered that buses to the summit are strictly forbidden to travel to the summit, but it does not apply to personal cars and minibuses of the residents of the nearest villages.
Experienced tourists can climb the mountain on foot, choosing one of two paths - a long one (5 km from the village of Shiblin) or a short 2.5 km. In time, the ascent will take no more than 1.5 hours.