Lower Galilee – Nazareth

A vibrant center of Arab life in the Galilee, Nazareth (An-Nassira in Arabic, Natzratin Hebrew) is vastly different from the Biblical images of pastoral churches and convents. True, as the place of Jesus’s early life and the traditional home of Joseph and Mary, Nazareth contains several holy Christian sites.

But sentimental sketches on Christmas cards belie the true nature of Nazareth, an engrossingly gritty town. For a sense of Nazareth’s overwhelming importance to Christians, head for the winding back alleys and dim church interiors. Your shaky faith will quickly be cured, howler, when a reckless driver misses you by inches on Paul VI St. or when you fight the clamoring crowds in the main business district.