Tiberias

Tiberias is one of the oldest cities in Israel, dating back more than 2000 years. It was considered the cross-roads between Egypt and Damascus.Named in honor of the Roman Emperor, Tiberius, saw many rulers over the centuries. From the Ancient Romans to the Bar Kochba revolts, the coming of the Crusaders, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, the ancient city expanded beyond its walls in 1912 with the establishment of the Achva neighborhood.

 

Tiberias - the view from the top

Tiberias – the view from the top

 

Under Israeli rule at last, Tiberius has expanded westward, and upwards along the sides of the mountains. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially in the summer when much of Israel’s population is looking for a break from the summer heat.



Built on a steep slope rising up from the lake, the city is spread over a relatively large area, with the highest point some 1,500 feet above the level of the lake, with consequent differences in temperature, rainfall and vegetation, even within the city limits.

Many wise men including Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, Rabbi Meir Baal-ha-Ness and Rabbi Akiva are buried in Tiberias.

tiberia2The city of Tiberias became a magnet for many Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the years following the founding of the State of Israel, duw mainly to the Jewish exodus from Arab countries in late 1940s and the early 1950s. Over time, government housing was built to accommodate much of the new population, like in many other development towns. Over time, the city came to rely on tourism, becoming a major Galilean center for Christian pilgrims and internal Israeli tourism. The ancient cemetery of Tiberias and its old synagogues also draw religious Jewish pilgrims during religious holidays.

Tiberias_hotelsTiberias consists of a small port on the shores of the Galilee lake for both fishing and tourist acitivities. Since 1990s, the importance of the port for fishing was gradually decreasing, with the decline of the Sea of Galilee level, due to continuing droughts and increased pumping of fresh water from the lake. It is expected that the water levls will return to their normal levels (almost 6 meters higher than today), with the full operational capacity of Israeli desalination facilities by 2014.

Great Tiberias Links

Great Tiberias Restaurants

  • Margaret says: Guy’s Homecooking Restaurant is the best place in Tiberias! “Located on the southern end of the city, it is a small place with about 15 tables (maybe). The mother is the cook and I believe the kitchen is between the restaurant and her apartment. The uncles and sons work there also. Typical Israeli fare, shishlik, akbob salads etc….She has by far the BEST chopped liver I have ever eaten. Small, friendly and definately a great eating experience….. Below are a couple of pictures… I think we took up the whole place!”

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