Nazareth

About

For much of history, Nazareth was a shunned backwater. The birthplace of Mary, and home to Jesus for years, it was directly belittled in the New Testament. Despite its importance to Christianity, the town itself owes much of its identity to the Ottomans. Today, the Old Town is famous among Israelis for its Arabic market, and its streets are lined with Ottoman-style buildings made from rough stone, with many signs written in Arabic to cater to the predominantly Muslim population. While this is a unique sight in Israel, it’s the Christian monuments that attract droves of tourists and pilgrims, the Pope included. First among these is the massive Church of the Annunciation, the largest church in the Middle East, which stands atop the grotto where Mary was told she would become the mother of the Son of God. Next door is the more humble Church of St. Joseph, which stands atop the former home of the Holy Family.