Nazareth Israel

 We had three extremely busy days touring the many biblical sites of the Holy Land. Its a unique and beautiful place with so much history but its impossible to take it all in in such a short time. Most areas were extremely difficult to photograph because there were so many tourists all in close proximity and many spaces inside churches etc were tiny.
Although neither of us are particularly religious it was a special thrill to walk in the footsteps of these Bible characters and we felt really privileged that we had the opportunity to do so.

We arrived in Haifa (above ) at 8am in the morning and by 9.15  we were on our way with another couple ( Australian ) from the ship in a private car with a driver/guide.  Nazareth was our first stop. It lies in a lovely setting in the middle of the Galilee Ranges. Nazareth was where Joseph and Mary were engaged and where Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would bear a son and whom she would name Jesus. Nazareth was where Jesus learnt his trade as a carpenter.

 The Basilica of the church of the Annunciation is said to be built over the place where Gabriel appeared to Mary that she would be the Saviours mother.

 The altar in the Holy Grotto which is on the lower level of the church.

 The artwork in the church all honouring the Virgin Mary have been donated by various christian communities throughout the world.

 The entrance to the church of St Gabriel which is Greek Orthodox.

Below are photos of the interior of the Greek Orthodox church. Of course every painting and everything inside the churches all told a very complex story, many of which I have now forgotten because I don't do information overload very well and I was so in awe of what I was seeing and how spectacularly beautiful everything was that I just didn't take it all in so you Im sure you will understand and hopefully just enjoy the photos.